Lunaris Agile Manifesto
Lunaris is inspired by the lunar cycle—a natural, 4-week rhythm of renewal, growth, and reflection. Just like
the moon moves through phases, Lunaris structures work into one in-person week of alignment and connection,
followed by three weeks of focused remote execution.
It's a cadence designed to balance presence and autonomy, strategy and action. The name reminds us that great
teamwork, like nature, works best in cycles—not chaos.
🗓️ Initiated on 3 July 2025 as a personal journey to reimagine Agile for hybrid teams.
🌘 What do we value?
We are uncovering better ways to collaborate, ship great work, and stay connected—without
burning out.
In a world that's increasingly remote, async, and noisy, we believe teams thrive when they combine human
presence with focused, uninterrupted work.
-
In-person alignment over constant video calls
-
Deep, focused work over busy-busy multitasking
-
Team connection over prolonged isolation
-
Life-work harmony over daily office routines
That is, while there's value in the items, we value those highlighted more.
🌑 Principles of Lunaris
-
1st Principle
We start together. The first week of the month is when we show up—physically, mentally,emotionally. We align on vision, build trust, and reconnect as humans, not just roles. -
2nd Principle
We protect deep work. The following three weeks are for flow. No micromanaging, no constant calls. Just space to think, create, and build with clarity. -
3rd Principle
We communicate clearly. Async comes first. Check-ins are designed, not demanded. Everyone respects each other's focus time and rhythm. Meetings are intentional, not default. -
4th Principle
We trust the team. Once we set the goals, we let the teams take ownership. It’s not about tracking hours—it’s about delivering value. -
5th Principle
We value our time. Focus time is sacred. We minimize pings, context switching, and aimless syncs. -
6th Principle
We value spontaneous creativity. Real ideas are often born in hallway chats or over lunch. That’s why presence matters—it’s not just efficient, it’s inspiring. -
7th Principle
We reflect to grow. At the end of each month, we ask: What worked? What didn’t? What’s next? Growth needs pause and perspective. -
8th Principle
We’re human first. Lunaris is not a sprint machine. It’s a sustainable loop that respects people and builds healthier, more connected teams.
🌒 How it Works
Week 1 – In-Person Immersion
Planning, vision alignment, retrospectives, and bonding. Everyone together, no distractions. Big-picture thinking, team energy, and shared purpose.
Weeks 2–4 – Remote Deep Work
Execution time. Teams work autonomously toward monthly goals, with async updates and optional weekly check-ins.
The Hybrid Flow Variant
An optional structure for teams that want a more sustainable pace and natural quarterly rhythm:
- Hybrid Flow = 3 sprints [of 4 weeks each] + 1 reset week
- Every 3 sprints, teams take a reset week — for cleanup, hackathons, documentation, training, or just breathing room
- This creates 12 sprints/year (4 quarters × 3 sprints)
- Reset weeks keep things fresh, reduce burnout, and allow time for bigger-picture reflection
🌓 Integrating Design Thinking
- Observe – Use the in-person week for user research, workshops, and empathy mapping
- Reflect – Frame the vision, define Hills, and align on problem statements
- Make – Execute during the remote weeks: prototypes, iterations, and delivery
This rhythm aligns discovery with execution in a way that balances team connection and individual flow.
To be continued...
🌔 Adapting Monthly Flow by Team Type
-
Product/Program Teams
Perfect fit. Use the in-person week to break down roadmap items and co-create backlog priorities. Review demos and iterate monthly. -
Operations Teams
Adapt by layering Kanban workflows over the month. Use the immersion week for process improvements, training, and alignment. -
Agencies & Studios
Use the immersive week for client onboarding, co-creation, and briefing. Then focus the month on delivering creative work with weekly status updates. -
Healthcare/Compliance Teams
In-person week includes risk checks, validation, and documentation planning. Use the month to test, analyze, and prepare outputs for audits or trials.
🌕 This is not just a process. It’s a culture.
Lunaris is about creating space—for focus, for connection, for purpose. It honors our need to think deeply and work together. It’s made for real life.
For those who want to work smarter, together, and sustainably—this is your cycle.
Suggest a Change on Google Docs Sign the ManifestoThis manifesto was first drafted on 3 July 2025 and continues to evolve.