When I first headed over to the Agnostic Agile website, I really liked what I saw. In many ways I still do. I like the idea of being agnostic towards Agile practices, and in my mind that means not believing that any practice or framework is the answer but being open to the idea that, under the right circumstances, they could be. Also, I fully support high ethical standards and always improving as an agile practitioner.

However, as the title indicates, I have concluded that I need to withdraw my support for Agnostic Agile in its current form. Here is why:

We need an open mindset – and that includes openness towards criticism. We are not doing ourselves, our customers/employers or the Agile movement any favors by withholding our honest opinion. The more I look at the Agnostic Oath, the more it reads as an attempt to establish a ceasefire between framework practitioners. Personally, I insist on retaining my right to call out frameworks, and even their practitioners, if I feel they are selling something as Agile that is not.

So, if you want an oath from me, here is one: I promise to do my best to understand and promote the Agile movement in all its diversity and to challenge whoever and whatever undermines it.