Reflections on Agility and Agile Methodology from the ancient Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and other works in Hindu philosophy to illuminate systems thinking and place of human factors in implementing Agile methods

Abstract

We trace the appearance of the word agile (agility) in  ancient hindu philosophical works like Upanishads, Vedas, Gita, Life Divine, Savitri, Secret of the Vedas. The epistemology and origins of Agility is studied and then reflected for its relevance in projects where Agile methodology is implemented. We analyse the verses and commentaries on  yoga sutras written by Sage Patanjali where agility has been referred and epistemology of agility is probed. We do a systematic literature review of human factors impacting agile methods. We then reflect on the present literature on human factors in agile methods with the impressions from these ancient texts. We compare the methods suggested in the Patanjali's aphorisms to modern thought and work done in contemporary literature like that of Polanyi (philosophy) , Miroff ( analytical) and David Rock (practical). This article aims at providing a systems thinking approach to Agile thinking and traits found in ancient texts to capture the agile epistemology. The article concludes with conditions favorable to agile methods and those which are non-favorable.