No, “it’s” adaptive and if you’re not adaptive then you’re quite literally not doing “it”.

Adaptive methods aren’t something unique to Agile, it’s an aspect found in basic business methodologies and processes. Very basic, textbook stuff. So when software types start grumping about their dysfunctional organizations and blaming methods they aren’t actually applying, it isn’t an indictment of the method and never can be.

If “Adaptive Heat Cycle 3.5” is a process where we turn down the thermostat when we’re too hot, and up when we’re too cold, based on a vote every 20 min: a bunch of sweaty people who are not voting and not changing the temp and lying about their needs because their boss sucks are not using the process. The fact they claim they are is only further proof of dysfunction and incompetence.

Agile has a built in solution to all agile complaints: the agile process where you fix the problem. No fix? Not agile. Blame the cargo cult players, not the rules.

You gotta understand how to use a tool for it to be effective, yes.