3 Predictions - The Future of Agile in 2026

I made a VERY controversial Podcast Episode on January 1st and I think people may have completely missed it! There will be 3 CRAZY-BIG changes happening on the Agile Landscape in 2026:

🚀 Prediction One: The Shift from Product Ownership to Product Management

• Broader Lifecycle Focus: Product managers will oversee the entire product lifecycle, from ideation to release.
• AI Integration: AI tools will streamline tasks, allowing product managers to focus on delivering value and happy customers.
• Expanded Roles: Expect more product manager roles and fewer traditional product owner positions.

🛠️ Prediction Two: The Evolution of the Scrum Master into the Agile Project Manager

• Holistic View: Agile Project Managers will support product managers and ensure teams focus on building the right product efficiently.
• Organizational Change Management: This will become a critical responsibility, guiding change within organizations.
• Certifications: Scrum Master certifications will still hold value but will need to adapt to this evolving role.

💻 Prediction Three: Developers Will Spend Less Time Coding and More Time on Quality and Integration

• AI-Generated Code: AI tools like ChatGPT will generate code faster, requiring developers to focus on integration and quality assurance.
• New Roles: Developers will become integrators and quality managers, ensuring seamless code assembly and high-quality releases.

🤖 Bonus Prediction: 2026 Will Be the Year AI Explodes in Agile

• AI Revolution: AI will revolutionize how we work, and those who leverage it will have a significant advantage.
• New Courses: We’re launching AI courses for Agile Project Managers, Product Managers, and Leaders to help you thrive in an AI-augmented environment.

I’m genuinely excited about what 2026 holds for the agile community. These shifts, combined with the transformative power of AI, will redefine how we deliver value. If you’re curious to learn more, join my AI classes or attend agile leadership summits where we dive deep into these topics.

How to connect with AgileDad:

- [website] ⁠https://www.agiledad.com/⁠

- [instagram] ⁠https://www.instagram.com/agile_coach/⁠

- [facebook] ⁠https://www.facebook.com/RealAgileDad/⁠

- [Linkedin] ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/leehenson/