The Project Manager's Guide to Mastering Agile, 2nd Edition

BGlossary of Terms

Agile

The word “agile” has two different connotations.

1. As a general adjective, and
2. As a more specific reference to a methodology or framework that is based on principles and practices based on the Agile Manifesto.

In the context of a general adjective, the Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word agile as:¹

Marked by ready ability to move with quick easy grace <an agile dancer>.

Having a quick resourceful and adaptable character <an agile mind>.

Dictionary.com defines the word agile as follows:²

Quick and well‐coordinated in movement; lithe: an agile leap.

Active; lively: an agile person.

Marked by an ability to think quickly; mentally acute or aware: She's 95 and still very agile.

Both of those definitions are probably very appropriate in the context of an Agile Project Manager.

• A cross‐functional Agile team moves quickly and autonomously with fluidity and grace without an excessive amount of external direction and orchestration.
• An Agile project approach is very adaptive to volatile and uncertain environments as necessary rather than being locked in to a well‐defined plan that might be difficult to change.
• Agile people are very resourceful, high‐energy people who are able to think quickly in a variety of different circumstances.
• You will often see Agile capitalized. In this context, the word “Agile" refers to a specific methodology or framework that is based on the principles and practices based on the Agile Manifesto.
• In actual practice, the ...