In the context of system design, what does the term 'agile' refer to?

The term 'agile' in the context of system design refers to a methodology that emphasizes iterative development and flexibility. Agile methodologies are designed to be adaptive to changes and prioritize delivering functional segments of software over extensive pre-planning and documentation. This approach values continuous collaboration and feedback from stakeholders, allowing teams to respond swiftly to changing requirements throughout the development process.

The essence of agile lies in its ability to improve productivity and enhance the quality of the final product by embracing change and fostering constant improvement. This is achieved through short development cycles, known as sprints, which enable teams to release incremental updates and refine their outputs based on user feedback and real-time needs. By focusing on collaboration, responsiveness, and delivering small, functional increments, agile methodologies contrast with more rigid development approaches.