Was Agile used before 2001?

Agile is a methodology for software development. Agile was created to overcome the increasing number of failed software development projects. It was formally launched in 2001 when 17 technologists drafted the Agile Manifesto.

One of the core concepts of Agile is Shippable Product, where each sprint should add value to the product and be ready for deployment. The following sprint would be an increment, and so forth.

Although Agile was introduced in 2001, one would argue that Agile was used way before that, probably millions of years before it was officially launched. Strange, right?

Let’s have a look at the story of the creation according to the bible. The first chapter of Genesis (Genesis 1: 1–31) suggests that the creation was done in 6 increments or sprints. Each increment was completed before the start of the next one. The sprint duration was one day (note: according to the bible, “With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day.” (2 Peter: 3:8)). The six sprints are:

Sprint 1 (first day): God created heaven and earth.

Sprint 2 (second day): God made the firmament and called the firmament Heaven.

Sprint 3 (third day): God created plants.

Sprint 4 (fourth day): The light was divided from the darkness.

Sprint 5 (fifth day): God created marine life.

Sprint 6 (sixth day): God created animals.

Agile was not literally utilized in the process of creation, but the fact that many of the successful methodologies could be linked back to nature is truly fascinating. Let us enjoy and utilize the powerful tool we have today, AGILE!