Agile Manifesto Puzzle
This is a simple exercise to introduce the agile manifesto. It gives you the opportunity to discuss the statements and agile values in more detail, but it also allows you to observe the group’s current understanding.
The group completes the manifesto statements by connecting the sentences that are split in two. The activity works for any sized group, but it is ideal to keep them small (2-5 people).
Any
5-15 min
Calm
Preparation
- Download and print out the 8 pages with the 4 statements, or create your own.
If you are running it remotely, use a tool like Miro/Mural and write down the 8 parts of the 4 statements on stickies.
Steps
- Explain that the manifesto is describing agile values and that the statements express how one thing is seen as more important than another (not replacing one for the other).
- Show them the structure [concept] over [concept].
- Allow them 5 minutes to put the 4 sentences together.
- Review together and debrief.
Debrief
Ask the group questions to clarify the agile values and find out what they learned.
- Why did they pick the combinations they did? Why do they think one thing is more important than the other?
- Why do they think the word OVER is used instead of NOT or INSTEAD OF?
- What examples can they think of to illustrate the value of these statements? Also be prepared with some of your own (eg how face-to-face discussions generally are more effective than emails, but doesn’t completely remove the value of emails).
Bonus tip
A variation of this activity is to write the four sentences and leave blanks for certain words. For example ‘Individuals and _________ over _________ and tools’.