a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

The Myth of Knowing Everything Upfront in Software Development

TL;DR; You cannot know everything upfront in software development, so focus on continuous discovery and adapt as you learn. Scrum supports this by encouraging just enough planning and design to move forward, then delivering and learning from real use. Prioritise delivery and feedback over excessive upfront design to create more value.

Published on
1 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/Zd6dcWwXJc7
Subscribe

One of the biggest fallacies in software is the belief that you can know everything upfront. That’s why some teams try to carve out “Design Sprints” to feel more in control.

But real product development doesn’t work like that. Discovery is continuous. Ideas evolve. Assumptions break. Value emerges through use.

That’s why Scrum embraces uncertainty. Refinement is your chance to explore future work just enough to be ready, without wasting time planning things that might never happen.

Build just enough design to support delivery. Then deliver. Get telemetry. Learn. Repeat.

If you’re spending more time designing than delivering, you’re likely optimising the wrong part of the system.

Also published on: LinkedIn
Smart Classifications

Each classification [Concepts, Categories, & Tags] was assigned using AI-powered semantic analysis and scored across relevance, depth, and alignment. Final decisions? Still human. Always traceable. Hover to see how it applies.

Subscribe

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Graham & Brown Logo

Graham & Brown

Freadom Logo

Freadom

Schlumberger Logo

Schlumberger

Philips Logo

Philips

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)

Hubtel Ghana Logo

Hubtel Ghana

Trayport Logo

Trayport

Deliotte Logo

Deliotte

Kongsberg Maritime Logo

Kongsberg Maritime

ALS Life Sciences Logo

ALS Life Sciences

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Genus Breeding Ltd Logo

Genus Breeding Ltd

DFDS Logo

DFDS

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company) Logo

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

NIT A/S

Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo

Brandes Investment Partners L.P.

Workday Logo

Workday

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo

Washington Department of Enterprise Services

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

ALS Life Sciences Logo

ALS Life Sciences

Boeing Logo

Boeing

Freadom Logo

Freadom

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Ericson Logo

Ericson

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo

Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd