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iSAQB Software Architecture Gathering

Heart of Agile
Published on April 13, 2026

SAG 2025 – Expert Interview with Alistair Cockburn: Why the Heart of Agile Still Matters in the Age of AI

Agile has evolved significantly over the past two decades, but according to Alistair Cockburn, its core principles remain as relevant as ever. In fact, AI makes them even more important.

In this interview, Alistair Cockburn reflects on the evolution of Agile from the original Agile Manifesto to the Heart of Agile, explains the idea behind "Elephant Carpaccio," shares his thoughts on Extreme Programming, and discusses why collaboration, continuous learning, and small improvements remain essential in an AI-driven world. He also explores how AI is changing software development and why apprenticeship learning will become increasingly important.

Key Takeaways:

1. Agile can be distilled into four simple actions: Collaborate, Deliver, Reflect, Improve.
2. Small, continuous improvements lead to lasting change.
3. Breaking big problems into tiny increments is a skill everyone should learn.
4. XP practices remain highly relevant for modern software development.
5. AI changes how we work, but learning from experienced developers remains essential.

Curious to hear Alistair Cockburn's perspective on the Heart of Agile, Extreme Programming, and software development in the age of AI? Watch the full interview to discover why collaboration, continuous improvement, and learning remain at the heart of successful software development.

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