The Agile Crossroads: From PMI’s Takeover to Building an Agora for Responsible Agility

Dare Real Agile Podcast

Following the PMI Global and Agile Alliance annoucement of merging effort together, A.Frédéric Joly, CEO of AFJ Solutions Holding Group have this to say on his special Podcast, this Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
Here’s the transcript:

“Good day, everyone, and thank you for tuning in. Today, I want to address a significant development in the Agile and project management communities. On January 3rd, Agile Alliance announced its integration into the Project Management Institute (PMI), marking what they describe as ‘a new phase of global development.’ However, I believe this decision represents a counter-revolutionary move, one that undermines the very essence of Agile as a mindset and its transformative values.

Let’s take a closer look at this announcement and explore its broader implications for the Agile movement.”

The Announcement and Its Framing:
“According to the press release, Agile Alliance — founded in 2001 by several co-authors of the Agile Manifesto — will now operate as PMI Agile Alliance. The press release positions this merger as a way to ‘broaden skill sets, expand access to resources, and foster a flexible mindset’ within the project management profession. On the surface, this sounds like a win-win collaboration.

However, I challenge the underlying premise of this merger. PMI, historically known for its structured and prescriptive methodologies, represents a fundamentally different philosophy than Agile. While the Agile Manifesto advocates for adaptability, collaboration, and iterative delivery, PMI’s approach often emphasizes control, documentation, and rigid planning. This merger risks diluting Agile’s original intent, transforming it into just another tool in PMI’s project management arsenal.”

The Misalignment of Values:

“Agile was never meant to be a mere ‘delivery approach.’ It is a mindset grounded in principles that prioritize individuals, interactions, and responsiveness over rigid processes. PMI’s integration of Agile Alliance signals a troubling departure from these values. Instead of fostering agility, this move leans toward assimilation into a system that Agile was created to disrupt.

Teresa Foster, the Managing Director of Agile Alliance, asserts that this partnership will help ‘spread Agile principles and values.’ But how can these values be preserved when the partnership itself undermines the principles of decentralization, innovation, and respect for emergent practices? Agile has always thrived at the edges of bureaucracy — not within it.”

A Responsible Alternative to Agile’s Future:
“At Agile Lounge, we stand for what I call ‘Responsible Agility.’ This means staying true to the Manifesto’s principles while embracing innovation and continuous improvement. It also means challenging moves like this one, which could regress the Agile movement instead of advancing it.

We believe Agile should evolve organically, guided by practitioners and communities — not by aligning itself with institutions whose mandates are incompatible with Agile’s core. Joining forces with PMI is not a bold leap forward; it’s a retreat into a framework that prioritizes conformity over creativity.”

Calling Out the Implications:
“This merger is not about promoting agility — it’s about PMI’s strategic positioning. By absorbing Agile Alliance, PMI gains credibility in a space it has struggled to own. Meanwhile, Agile Alliance loses its independence and, with it, the ability to act as a steward of Agile values.

What’s particularly disappointing is the abdication of Agile Alliance’s responsibility to its community. For over 20 years, it stood as a champion of Agile practices and principles. Now, instead of deepening its commitment to Agile’s evolution, it has chosen the path of least resistance by joining an institution that thrives on standardization and control.”

Closing Thoughts:
“As members of the Agile community, we must ask ourselves: What kind of future do we want for Agile? Do we want it to remain a movement rooted in empowerment, innovation, and adaptability? Or are we willing to let it be reduced to a commoditized skillset that fits neatly into a corporate hierarchy?

At Agile Lounge, we are committed to making Agile great again by returning to its core values and principles. This is why we champion the Alliance for Responsible Agility, advocating for a decentralized and practitioner-driven future for Agile.

Thank you for listening. Let’s continue this conversation — reach out with your thoughts and let’s work together to preserve the heart of Agile.”

Outro:
“Until next time, stay curious, stay agile, and stay committed to what truly matters in our work and our lives. This is Frédéric Joly, signing off.”

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