The Software Project Manager’s Bridge to Agility

Chapter 1

What Is “Agile”?

In the struggle for survival, the fittest win out at the expense of their rivals because they succeed in adapting themselves best to their environment.

—Charles Darwin

Darwin’s famous voyage on the HMS Beagle took four years, nine months, and five days, ending in 1836. We are all familiar with the story: Darwin set sail and discovered unique species of plants and animals in South America and other regions of the world, resulting in years of work that culminated in his Theory of Evolution.¹ Darwin began his adventure much to the disappointment of his family, who felt that it would delay his anticipated admission into the clergy. After his return from the voyage, and aware of the Victorians’ strong belief in the divine, ...