In 2001, when The Manifesto for Agile Software Development was created, the original authors wrote “…we have come to value Individuals and Interactions over Processes and Tools”. They did not mean that processes and tools have no value but that one of the biggest determinants of success when developing software lies with the individuals involved and the way that they interact together and with the wider stakeholder community; yet so often when talking to people in agile teams we hear that particular tools, frameworks, and processes are mandated by their organization, indeed many organizations start by selecting processes and tools to start their agile journey. Teams often find that it is very difficult to change the mandated tools and that the tools often require them to follow certain processes in order for the tool to work. At this point, the tool owns the process which owns the people, which is – of course – the wrong way around. This year’s gathering will focus on the importance of skilled, professional individuals, empowered to do their best work and respected as professionals by their organization and how by having empowered and respected individuals interacting together great things can happen and great products can be created.