Hybrid Agile often combines the worst of both traditional and Agile methods

TL;DR; Mixing Agile with traditional methods often results in a slow, inefficient process that fails to deliver the benefits of either approach. Simply adding Agile practices to a rigid system does not enable faster adaptation or competitiveness. Development managers should assess whether their processes truly support rapid change rather than just adopting Agile terminology.

Published on 9 April 2025

Written by Martin Hinshelwood

1 minute read

https://nkdagility.com/resources/mqG4p-beYqb

I still hear leaders talk about “hybrid Agile” like it’s the best of both worlds. Let’s be real—it’s usually the worst of both.

You can’t bolt Agile practices onto a rigid, process-heavy system and expect to move faster. That’s like trying to upgrade an old flip phone with a touchscreen—it just doesn’t work. What you get is a Frankenstein process: too slow to be Agile, too chaotic to be controlled.

The goal isn’t to “be Agile.” It’s to outmaneuver your competitors. If your system isn’t designed for rapid adaptation, you’re already losing.

The question isn’t whether you should change. It’s whether you’ll change before it’s too late.

Are you genuinely set up to pivot and seize opportunities, or are you clinging to old ways under a new name?

Also published on: LinkedIn

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