The Agile Spectrum: Is Your Team Really Agile or Just Going Through the Motions?

In the world of project management, Agile has become a bit of a buzzword.

'We are Agile', Sounds so top-notch and fancy, isn't it?

Organizations and teams proudly declare themselves as “Agile,” assuming that following a few rituals and holding daily scrums automatically makes them Agile or using Jira automatically makes them Agile.

But is that really the case?

Are these teams actually embracing the true spirit of Agile, or are they simply going through the motions, ticking off checkboxes without actually experiencing the benefits of flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement?

I have seen top management and leadership talk about Agile practices so much, but when it comes to actually setting time for retrospectives and doing some groundwork or actioning on the items that would make a difference, they tend to have a mindset of 'Oh! this is not a technical / business delivery'. Or not now- we first need to go live, our release is nearing. 'We can do all this later' kind of an attitude!'

They fail to consciously set the time for this or even if they do, everything else would take precedence over this.

Well, nagging apart, let’s take a moment to explore where your team falls on the Agile spectrum. Are you practicing Agile in its truest form, or is your team Agile-ish—only going through the steps without the actual mindset?

The Agile Checklist Trap

Here’s a common scenario: You hold daily scrums, you run retrospectives at the end of every sprint, and you break your work into small, manageable chunks.

Great!

That means you’re Agile, right?

No! - Not necessarily.

Don't be surprised. Too often, teams mistake performing Agile rituals for being Agile. They check off all the steps in the Scrum Guide or Kanban playbook but miss the key ingredient that makes Agile so powerful—the mindset.

Agile is about adapting to change, fostering collaboration, and continuously improving. It’s a philosophy, not just a framework. But when teams lose sight of this, Agile can quickly turn into a mechanical routine that offers none of the real benefits.

I know, I know you are muttering in your head, 'It's all for the sake of saying.' Well, have you really tried being Agile? If not how can you say that it's just for the sake of saying? Because trust me this takes time - And when I say this takes time, I am not just talking about maturity, It takes time to first understand what exactly this framework has to offer for your project and how will it help you. Without defining and understanding this point what will you even gain running the ceremonies?

What Does True Agile Look Like?

To understand whether your team is truly Agile or just “Agile-ish,” let’s break down some key indicators of a genuine Agile mindset versus simply following a set of procedures.

1. Collaboration Over Silos

• Agile Mindset: The team works together closely, regularly collaborating to solve problems and share knowledge. Every team member is engaged in decision-making, and information flows freely across functions.

• Agile-ish: The team holds standups, but beyond that, they stay in their silos. Developers work in isolation, while business stakeholders remain detached until the next demo.

2. Embracing Change

• Agile Mindset: The team welcomes change, even late in the project. They’re flexible and adapt to new information, requirements, or challenges, seeing change as an opportunity to improve.
• Agile-ish: The team grudgingly accepts change but tries to minimize disruptions. The goal is to stick to the original plan as much as possible, and any deviation is seen as a hassle.

3. Delivering Value Continuously

• Agile Mindset: The team delivers working software (or products) frequently, even if it’s in small, incremental releases. They focus on delivering value early and often to the customer.
• Agile-ish: The team delivers work at the end of the sprint or project, often spending more time on planning and documentation than on producing functional deliverables.

4. Continuous Improvement

• Agile Mindset: The team uses retrospectives not just to air grievances but to reflect deeply on their processes, looking for ways to improve with each sprint. Lessons learned are immediately applied.
• Agile-ish: The team holds retrospectives but rarely implements any changes. The same problems are brought up again and again with little to no action taken.

5. Empowering the Team

• Agile Mindset: The team is self-organizing, with team members empowered to make decisions. Leadership serves to enable, not dictate.
• Agile-ish: The team still relies heavily on top-down management, with Scrum Masters or project managers driving decisions and approvals.

Let's Do This - Fun Quiz: Is Your Team Truly Agile or Agile-ish?

To help you assess where your team stands on the Agile spectrum, here’s a quick self-assessment quiz! Score your team based on the following statements. Use a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = Strongly Disagree, 5 = Strongly Agree).

1. Our team adapts easily to changing requirements or feedback.

• 1 2 3 4 5

2. We frequently collaborate with each other and stakeholders to solve problems.

• 1 2 3 4 5

3. Retrospectives lead to real, measurable improvements in our processes.

• 1 2 3 4 5

4. We regularly deliver working software (or products) that provide value to customers.

• 1 2 3 4 5

5. Our team feels empowered to make decisions without constant oversight from leadership.

• 1 2 3 4 5

6. We focus on outcomes and value, rather than just completing tasks.

• 1 2 3 4 5

7. Team members freely share knowledge and help each other with tasks.

• 1 2 3 4 5

8. Our sprints are flexible and adapt to unforeseen circumstances or new priorities.

• 1 2 3 4 5

Scoring:

• 35-40: You’re fully Agile! Your team embodies the true Agile mindset, continuously improving and delivering value with flexibility and collaboration.
• 25-34: You’re Agile, but there’s room for growth. Your team has a solid foundation, but there are areas where Agile principles could be applied more deeply.
• 16-24: Your team is Agile-ish. You’re going through the motions but need to focus more on the core Agile values like adaptability and collaboration.
• 8-15: Your team might not be Agile at all. It’s time to reevaluate how you’re applying Agile principles and move beyond the rituals.

How much did you score? Do not forget to share the scores in the comment :)

Why Does It Matter?

Being Agile isn’t about adhering to a strict set of rules—it’s about how your team works, learns, and adapts. Teams that just go through the motions miss out on the key benefits Agile can offer faster feedback loops, increased innovation, and better overall outcomes.

True Agile teams adapt quickly, experiment with new ideas, and continuously improve their processes, while Agile-ish teams may get stuck in routine, missing the opportunity to grow.

So, where does your team stand? And more importantly—what can you do to shift from being Agile-ish to truly Agile?

How to Move from Agile-ish to Truly Agile

If your team scored lower on the Agile spectrum, don’t worry! There are ways to move towards true agility:

• Foster a culture of openness and collaboration: Encourage team members to share their ideas and insights. Create a safe space for constructive feedback.
• Embrace change: Don’t fear adjustments. See them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
• Focus on delivering value: Shift the emphasis from completing tasks to delivering meaningful results that provide value to your customers.
• Regularly reflect and improve: Take retrospectives seriously and actively work on addressing issues and enhancing your processes.

To Conclude, I would say that we need to understand that Agile is more than just Daily Scrums, sprints, and Jira—it’s a mindset of adaptability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. If your team is only going through the motions, it’s time to pause, reflect, and embrace the real Agile spirit.

Take the quiz, evaluate your team’s practices, and start making changes today to move closer to true agility.

It’s not about doing Agile; it’s about being Agile.