top of page
nuAgility Glossary

What is an Antipattern?

An antipattern is a common solution to a problem that appears to be effective but actually creates more problems than it solves. It is essentially the opposite of a best practice or a design pattern.


Antipatterns can occur in various areas, including software development, business, management, and even personal life. For example, in software development, an antipattern might involve using a complex and convoluted design that makes the code difficult to read, maintain, and modify. In business or management, an antipattern might involve micromanaging employees, which can result in decreased productivity and demotivation.


The term "antipattern" was first used in the 1990s as part of a movement to identify common software development practices that were counterproductive. The goal was to help developers avoid common mistakes and improve the quality of their code. Since then, the concept has been extended to other fields as well, and antipatterns are now recognized as a useful tool for identifying and addressing common problems.

About nuAgility
nuAgility is a consulting and community-driven organization focused on helping companies and practitioners improve how work actually gets done.  Through hands-on engagement and open community conversations, we explore and teach practical ways to deliver value in complex environments.
Take the Next Step

Organizations

Improve how work actually gets done across teams and systems.

See how we help reduce complexity, align work to outcomes, and build more adaptive organizations.
 

Practitioners

Grow your ability to navigate and shape real-world work.

Explore insights, tools, and learning experiences designed to move beyond theory into practical application.
 

Community

Engage with others working through the same challenges.

Join open conversations with practitioners sharing real experiences, ideas, and lessons learned.
 

bottom of page