By Mark Entrekin, Article 7
(Part of the Series: Exploring the Agile Manifesto Through a Wider Lens)

 The Agile Manifesto was originally written back in February 2001 by a wonderful group of software developers seeking better ways to work together and deliver value more efficiently. Yet, when we step back and look at it through a wider lens, its principles offer much more than guidance for technology; they also provide a mindset for life. The third principle states:

“Deliver working Software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.”

If we replace the word software with solutions, the intent expands beyond computers and computer code. It can become a principle that encourages us to deliver working solutions frequently, whether those solutions are personal goals, family improvements, workplace achievements, or commUNITY efforts. 

The goal is not seeking perfection; it is progress. The sooner we take a step that works, the sooner we can learn, improve, and take another valuable step forward. Thanks for remembering that this works in every endeavor, from family to personal to professional to social!

When we shift our focus from developing software to delivering solutions, we remove the unneeded barriers of industry and specialization. A “solution” can be a new process at work, a healthier routine at home, or even a better way to listen and connect with others socially. The heart of this principle lies in its rhythm: taking smaller, consistent actions that deliver meaningful results in the shortest possible time.

Too often, people wait for everything to be perfect before they act. In software, that leads to delayed releases and missed opportunities. In life, it leads to frustration and stagnation. But by applying the principle of frequent delivery, we make space for continuous learning and steady progress, continually improving instead of feeding anger, breeding frustration or blaming others.

Think about your personal life for a moment. Suppose your goal is to read more, exercise more, or save money. Waiting until you have the “perfect plan” can delay you so much that you never start. Instead, deliver a working solution, something simple and doable right now. Start now by reading for ten minutes a day. Take one short walk. Save a few dollars each week.

The same concept applies in families. Maybe communication has become strained, or schedules are too busy. Delivering working solutions frequently might mean scheduling a weekly dinner or setting aside five minutes each evening to reconnect. These small steps may seem simple, but they create powerful momentum and lead to long-term improvement.

Socially, this principle reminds us that commUNITY progress happens through ongoing contributions, not one-time events. A small local project, a consistent volunteer effort, or a recurring neighborhood cleanup can become a foundation for Unity and pride. Frequent improvements with tangible solutions, even though it seems to be the tiniest step, build trust and show others that improvement is possible and contagious.

Professionally, teams thrive when progress is visible. Delivering a small, working piece of a larger project enables feedback, collaboration, and shared success, a continual process of improvement. It shows that action is valued over talk, and that forward motion, no matter how small, builds confidence and shared ownership.

This Agile principle connects beautifully with the LID-BID-WID-RID-GID framework. It gives us a simple way to bring frequent delivery to life:

• Listen in Dialogue (LID): Begin with understanding, listen to your environment, your team, or your inner voice. Every solution starts with awareness.

• Break It Down (BID): Divide larger goals into smaller, manageable actions that can be completed and celebrated along the way.

• Write It Down (WID): Record your intentions and progress. Writing transforms thoughts into commitments.

• Review Its Dependencies (RID): Identify what helps or hinders your next step, people, tools, or timing, and adjust accordingly.

• Get It Done (GID): Take action. Deliver the next solution. Do not wait for everything to align perfectly.

Each of these steps strengthens our ability to deliver working solutions frequently. Together, they form a rhythm of reflection, planning, and purposeful action.

The Achieving Unity Success Formula reminds us that progress and Unity are connected. When people see consistent improvement, whether in families, workplaces, or communities, they gain hope, trust, and motivation. Delivering working solutions frequently strengthens that connection. It says, “We are in this together, and we are moving forward together, in Unity.”

Every small delivery, every success, and every act of completion adds another link in the chain of Unity. It reinforces accountability, kindness, and respect; the values that turn individual action into collective progress.

Another significant shift in language deepens this principle. Instead of aiming for “change,” which can feel uncertain or disruptive as many changes are short-term. Instead, we can focus on “improvement.” Improvement builds upon what already exists; it respects the past while making the future better, long-term.

When we “deliver working solutions frequently,” we are not discarding what came before. We are improving it step by step, cycle by cycle. The beauty of this approach lies in its sustainability. It does not rely on monumental breakthroughs but on consistent acts of dedication, respect and care.

Closing Encouragement

Progress happens when purpose meets persistence. Delivering working solutions frequently keeps us in motion, even when life feels uncertain or goals seem far away. Whether it is a small action at home, a project at work, or an act of kindness in your commUNITY, every delivery counts.

Go ahead, take the next small step. Listen, break it down, write it down, review what is needed, and get it done. Improvement is not a single event; it is a living process, one step, one solution at a time.

When we move forward with intention, we do not just reach goals, we strengthen Unity. And in that Unity, we find the true spirit of Agile and life: adapting, improving, and uplifting each other along the way. We do not just solve problems, we build the value of Unity, one solution at a time.