I may be misinterpreting where you're coming from, but I'll give it a shot: "Individuals and interactions over processes and tools" ... "...there is value in

I may be misinterpreting where you're coming from, but I'll give it a shot: "Individuals and interactions over processes and tools" ... "...there is value in the items on the right..." I think that's a recommendation of process. IMO the decade of Agile has been a cluster, mostly because individuals pushing for it (IME, as a generalization) ignore the all important "there is value". Because it's not as fun/convenient/appealing/whatever (early on I was definitely one of those people). I prioritize time with my kids over doing the dishes. That doesn't mean I shouldn't do the dishes. Agile recommends you value people and try not to put barriers in front of communication, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have a plan, scope of work, estimate, etc. Nothing in the manifesto at least says that. If you're doing fixed scope (yes, everything changes, but within reason it's generally easy to differentiate), fixed bid projects, then not having a plan is a guaranteed way to generate re-work, burnout and budget overruns for any project beyond the trivial. Planning happens, wether it happens ahead of time or just-in-time, it happens. Trying to do the inevitable rework while it's still just paper is better for developers, your company, your clients, anyone. I dunno, it seems like common sense to me. I get a contractor to bid a job in my house. The worst possible thing to happen is it takes longer than he thought and costs more. He can tell me all he wants about YAGNI and evolving understanding. My question to him is why he didn't anticipate this wall might have studs every 16" when I asked him to bid on the installation of in-wall speakers. If he'd planned it, thought through the process of performing the task each step of the way during the bid, then stupid stuff like this wouldn't happen. IMO the Software Development world is a lot like Contracting. Mostly capable people (and some brilliant), but more often than not it's hard to find a contractor who can plan their way out of a wet paper bag. Sometimes there are good reasons for needing to change a plan. But not having one in the first place is not such a reason. You want to thrill clients? Do what you say you will, for the price you say you will, when you say you will. /end-rambling-rant