The concept of “being Agile” rather than merely “doing Agile” is a central theme in Agile Foundation guidance. “Being Agile” refers to adopting the Agile mindset, values, and principles as a way of thinking and behaving, rather than simply applying a set of tools, ceremonies, or techniques. This mindset emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, continuous learning, and responsiveness to change, which is best represented by option B.
Agile foundations clearly distinguish mindset from mechanics. While timelines, documentation, and techniques have their place, they are secondary to people, interactions, and the ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances. Adaptability means welcoming change, even late in development, when it improves value for customers and stakeholders. Collaboration emphasizes close, ongoing cooperation between cross-functional team members, business representatives, and customers, ensuring shared understanding and faster decision-making.
Option A focuses on strict timelines and task completion, which aligns more closely with traditional predictive or plan-driven approaches. Agile recognizes that rigid timelines can reduce flexibility and discourage learning. Option C emphasizes document-driven processes, which contradict the Agile value of prioritizing working solutions over comprehensive documentation. Documentation is useful, but it should support value delivery, not dominate it. Option D highlights Agile techniques for efficiency, which reflects “doing Agile” rather than “being Agile.” Techniques such as stand-ups, boards, or retrospectives only create value when guided by an Agile mindset.
In Agile foundations, “being Agile” enables teams to continuously inspect and adapt their ways of working, improve relationships, and deliver meaningful outcomes. By focusing on adaptability and collaboration, organizations create environments where teams can respond effectively to uncertainty, learn from feedback, and consistently deliver value, which is the true intent of Agile.
