Foundational, non-derivable truths that anchor strategy, guide system design, and define the boundaries of professional practice.
A First Principle is an irreducible truth. It is not a heuristic, value, or belief. It is a foundational constraint on how complex systems behave, adapt, and deliver value.
First principles are not negotiable. They define the baseline of professional conduct in software delivery, product development, and organisational agility. If a practice violates a first principle, it is not contextually inappropriate — it is fundamentally wrong.
First principles are not what you believe. They are what is true — whether you believe it or not.
Most Agile, Lean, and DevOps failures come from local optimisation, dogma, or blind mimicry. First principles provide a reference point to:
They enable coherence across roles, domains, and frameworks by framing what must be preserved regardless of tooling, domain, or context.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Non-Derivable | Cannot be deduced from other ideas. They stand on their own. |
| Domain-Independent | Apply across all disciplines of delivery — from code to culture. |
| Immutable | Do not change with trends, tools, or roles. |
| Constraining | Define the edge of professionalism; crossing them is not a style choice. |
These are not aspirational ideals. They are constraints you violate at your peril.
Principles are useful, contextual, and adaptable. First Principles are required, foundational, and absolute.
If a principle is optional, flexible, or advisory — it’s not a first principle.
Scrum Teams, Product Owners, and Engineering Leaders use first principles to:
When you work from first principles, you don’t need to memorise rules. You reason from truth.
If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.
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