How to Measure Agile Maturity Using a Principle-Based Radar
Agile isn’t a fixed destination—it’s a continuous journey. Whether your team is just starting out or seeking to deepen its Agile practice, measuring maturity can help identify strengths, highlight growth opportunities, and guide improvement efforts.
One of the most effective ways to do this is through an Agile Maturity Radar, built around the core principles of agility.
What Is an Agile Maturity Radar?
An Agile Maturity Radar visually maps how well a team or organisation is living out key Agile principles. Your radar includes 12 dimensions derived from the Agile Manifesto. Each one reflects a fundamental behaviour or value that supports Agile delivery.
Teams self-assess each dimension on a scale (usually 1 to 5), creating a radar chart that highlights maturity across the Agile landscape.
This tool enables:
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A shared understanding of where the team stands
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Structured retrospectives and improvement planning
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A non-judgemental, principle-focused lens for growth
The 12 Dimensions of Agile Maturity
Each of the following dimensions represents a distinct element of Agile maturity. Here’s what each one means in practice:
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Customer Satisfaction through Early and Continuous Software Delivery
Deliver value often, starting early, and stay closely aligned with real user needs. -
Accommodate Changing Requirements Throughout the Development Process
Embrace change—even late in the process—as a competitive advantage, not a disruption. -
Frequent Delivery of Working Software
Push small, usable increments into users' hands regularly to gather feedback and validate progress. -
Collaboration Between Business Stakeholders and Developers Throughout the Project
Maintain an open, ongoing dialogue between delivery teams and business owners. -
Support, Trust and Motivate the People Involved
Empower teams to make decisions and succeed, underpinned by psychological safety and trust. -
Enable Face-to-Face Interactions
Foster direct communication—whether in person or via video—to reduce misalignment and delay. -
Working Software is the Primary Measure of Progress
Focus on outcomes, not just activity. Working code speaks louder than plans or documents. -
Agile Processes to Support a Consistent Development Pace
Deliver at a sustainable rhythm, avoiding burnout and allowing teams to plan with confidence. -
Attention to Technical Detail and Design Enhances Agility
Invest in clean code, good design, and automation to enable flexibility and long-term delivery speed. -
Simplicity – Just Enough to Get the Job Done for Right Now
Avoid over-engineering. Solve today’s problem in the simplest, most maintainable way possible. -
Self-Organising Teams Encourage Great Architectures, Requirements and Designs
Trust teams to structure their work, define solutions, and improve their own processes. -
Regular Reflections on How to Become More Effective
Continuously inspect and adapt through retrospectives and learning cycles.
How to Run an Agile Maturity Assessment
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Facilitate a Team Workshop
Gather your delivery team and present the 12 dimensions. Encourage open discussion and score each area from 1 (low maturity) to 5 (high maturity). -
Plot the Results on a Radar Chart
Visualising the data makes maturity gaps easier to spot—and to explain to stakeholders. -
Capture Qualitative Insights
For each score, capture the “why”. What behaviours or blockers influenced the team’s rating? -
Identify Priority Areas
Choose 1–2 dimensions to focus on improving in the next sprint or quarter. Link them to specific actions or experiments. -
Track Progress Over Time
Revisit the radar regularly. Teams will see their maturity evolve as habits shift and learnings accumulate.
Why This Works
Measuring Agile maturity through principles rather than process compliance:
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Keeps the focus on value and outcomes
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Respects the team’s unique context
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Encourages reflection without fear of judgement
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Promotes true Agile thinking, not just ritual following
It’s not about “doing Agile”—it’s about being Agile.
