When Microsoft initially introduced Agile, they meant it for fields where the future of the products was uncertain. And that's where Agile technologies pays off. Lately, small and medium sized firms are adapting to Agile. The whole point of adapting to Agile works like this. Currently the company may have a few projects and there may not be any after that for some time. There may be an increase in the number of projects after that to almost double. In all these situations, the company adapts itself by being fleetfooted.

Agile works more on instant communication or informal chats rather than written documentation and procedures. Heated debates lead to faster implementation cycles and patches thus increasing the interactivity between the end user and the developers. There is a constant buzz everyday till all or most issues have been ironed out. Once that is done, the team ceases to remain agile and allows the application to enter the support phase only. The major addition in value is a constant streamlined focus on changing circumstances and a good design.

Note that with Agile, only competant staff are retained and the least contributors are eliminated since their job is redundant. Besides, in case of a downturn and a lack of projects sees staff seated idle which is used to work them on other projects and gives an accurate headcount of idle labor. In Agile, a modification has been the cleanroom engineering which focusses on preventing a defect rather than focussing on patching.