This May, Sofia will host Dr Alistair Cockburn — internationally recognised software development expert and one of the original authors of the Agile Manifesto, a foundational document that has shaped modern software engineering practices worldwide.
The visit is organised at the invitation of the FOCUS project at the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics (IMI) at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS). It marks the first time Cockburn will visit Sofia.
Agile, the methodology co-developed by Cockburn and others, underpins much of today’s digital ecosystem, influencing how software systems and digital services are designed and delivered across industries such as finance, healthcare, and public administration. His work emphasises human-centred development, collaboration, iterative progress, and adaptability in complex environments.
In this context, the FOCUS project aims to advance digital transformation in cultural heritage. Positioned at the intersection of technology, culture, and innovation, the project focuses on new approaches for preserving, accessing, and experiencing cultural heritage in the digital era.
A central theme of the visit is “Heart of Agile,” which highlights core principles such as collaboration, value delivery, reflection, and continuous adaptation. These principles are also being explored within FOCUS through case-based approaches to cultural heritage digitisation, bridging methodological innovation and real-world applications.
The visit is expected to foster dialogue between international thought leadership in software development and Bulgaria's ongoing research and innovation efforts.
“This is not just a visit, but a meeting point between vision, method, and real impact,” organisers noted.