Have we forgotten one of the core principles of the Agile Manifesto?

One of the original 12 Agile principles calls for collaboration between IT professionals and business professionals people to deliver value to the customer. This was, and still is, a unifying goal of the agile movement.

But where are we now? How did software development (SD) become so fragmented? Why has agile consultancy often failed to uphold this principle, prioritizing profit over purpose and people craftmanship?

The issue isn’t with Agile itself — it’s with the industrialization of the movement. Agile’s 2001 origins have been hijacked, leading to what feels like an “Agile Industrial Complex” that emphasizes frameworks over collaboration and value delivery.

It’s time for change, not reimagination.

Institutions like Agile Alliance and Agile Montréal, while well-intentioned, must also reflect on their roles and responsabilities in this decay. Instead of reimagining Agile, let’s TRON (Truly Realize ON like responsible professional stakeholders) to the basics — principles that work, processes that serve, and partnerships that create value for the customer.

Looking ahead to 2025, I hope to see developers and business leaders stepping up together. Imagine an AGORA — a space of stewardship, open debate, and shared responsibility where we focus on meaningful progress, not only for the business world but for civil society as a whole.

A special thanks to Robert C. (Bob) Martin for the reminder that a true Scrum Master — like I’ve aimed to be since 1999 — is a process enabler and leader who serve. Our role is to empower developers, SMEs, and teams to build the right thing, at the right time. Simple!

Thank you also to Daniel Mezick for advocating civil discourse and stewardship, and for calling us back to craftsmanship and value creation.

So I ask: Do we need a TRON to break through in 2025? Will the AGORA be our TRON?

Let’s bring back the core of Agile — collaboration, craftsmanship, and responsibility.

WATCH Robert C. (Uncle Bob) Martin 

clip that inspired me this article: https://youtu.be/PnwhBP_Lmow?si=v3QpMzfGi4fJtWgg