How does Agile methodology typically respond to change?

Agile methodology is fundamentally designed to be flexible and adaptive, which is why embracing changes even late in development is a core principle. In Agile practices, teams recognize that requirements and solutions evolve through collaborative effort and that customer feedback can lead to new insights at any stage of development. This adaptability allows teams to pivot and adjust their priorities based on new information or changes in market conditions, ensuring that the final product aligns closely with customer needs and expectations.

This approach encourages ongoing dialogue between stakeholders and teams, allowing for continuous improvement and refinement, which is critical in dynamic and fast-paced environments. Agile frameworks, such as Scrum or Kanban, support iterative cycles of development where feedback is actively sought and incorporated, enhancing the overall responsiveness to change.

In contrast, adhering strictly to initial plans or avoiding adjustments altogether would undermine the Agile principle of responding to change, as these approaches would inhibit the ability to adapt to evolving project requirements. Incorporating changes at designated phases, while somewhat flexible, lacks the comprehensive responsiveness that Agile champions, particularly as it may limit how changes are handled to predefined intervals rather than embracing ongoing adjustments.