In today’s fast-paced world, customer satisfaction isn’t just a goal; it’s essential. This first Agile principle gets right to it: make customers happy. How do we really do that? We stop focusing on huge, years-long releases. Instead, we deliver often and early.

In practice, this means involving the customer directly in the software’s evolution, iterating quickly in front of them. We make a B-line to get it working, to produce the core thing they asked for. Then, we fill in the gaps and add the user-friendly bits that transform it into truly usable software. Showing progress early and often offers immediate value. Sure, customers might then think of more ways to increase scope (and we often push back on that), but they see and realize value immediately. You want the person signing your paycheck to see visible value in your work, consistently.

This approach means less risk. We catch technical glitches or misunderstandings early, not at the last minute. It builds trust and collaboration. The customer goes from just receiving software to actively partnering with us. Ultimately, constantly delivering value keeps the software relevant and useful. It truly meets the changing demands of its users. It’s about building the right thing, right now, and continuously getting better at it.