Agile Doesn’t Kill Documentation—It Kills Pointless Documentation
No one’s saying don’t write things down. We’re saying stop writing what no one reads.
Myth: Agile means no documentation.
Why this is wrong:
This myth stems from a misread of the Agile Manifesto, which favors “working software over comprehensive documentation.” It doesn’t say “no documentation”—it says prioritize value. Writing specs no one uses, or ten-page test plans for two-week sprints, is the problem.
What’s actually true:
Agile teams create just enough documentation to support delivery.
Good documentation helps with onboarding, testing, and knowledge sharing.
The goal is useful, lean artifacts—living documents, not deadweight PDFs.
Why this matters:
When teams avoid documenting entirely, they lose continuity. New team members struggle. Quality dips. Decisions get repeated—or forgotten. Agile done right values clarity, not clutter.
Force multiplier insight:
Scrum Masters who help teams strike the right documentation balance amplify shared understanding and team resilience.
Takeaway:
Agile doesn’t reject documentation. It rejects waste. Write what matters. Skip what doesn’t.