When it comes to increased work efficiency in modern workplaces, there are numerous project management methodologies to choose from. While you try to look for the methodology that fits you best, there’s one name that keeps reappearing: Agile.
Agile project management seems to be vastly popular in adaptive cultures. It has benefits that outdo most other project management methodologies, so much so that you begin to wonder whether the buzz around Agile is real or if it’s just another technique that promises more than it delivers.
But, what is Agile? How do you know if it’s a good fit for your project needs? Let’s take a look at the most frequently asked about Agile project management:
What Is Agile in Simple Terms?
With its roots in the software development industry, Agile is a project management approach that delivers faster results and meets flexible goals. The word “agile” refers to one’s ability to move quickly and easily, and the approach is much similar to that.
However, what’s interesting is there are professionals who refer to Agile as a way of thinking for collaborative problem-solving rather than a project management methodology. Discussions and debates aside, it’s still prevalent as a project management methodology that delivers maximum value.
What Is the Meaning of Agile Project Management?
Agile project management is an incremental and iterative approach to managing projects that breaks down large projects into small, manageable tasks, and incorporates feedback at each stage of a product cycle to make responsive changes.
Teams that embrace Agile project management methodologies optimize their workflow, adapt to market trends and changing project needs, and foster collaboration. If you’re new to Agile, you might consider it to be a complex system.
But all in all, it just equips software development companies and marketing agencies to change their direction. Earlier, a software development project took an average of 3 years to complete. So, by the time the final product was released, the customer requirements had drastically changed, or the technology used was already out of date.
This “application development crisis” of the 1990s resulted in numerous failed projects, financial losses, and frustrated thought leaders. That’s when Agile started coming into the picture—it offers the scope of flexibility and helps teams adapt to changes happening around them.
In terms of project management, then Agile has seven essential attributes you need to be mindful of:
- Flexibility & Adaptability
- Creative & Goal-Driven
- Transparency & Accountability
- Collective Ownership & Collaboration
- Customer Focus
- Continuous Improvement
- Open to New Technology
What Is the Aim of Agile Project Management?
The aim of Agile project management is to come up with shorter production cycles and frequent product releases than the waterfall methodology, which takes longer. The aim gets clearer if we take a look at the four core values in the Agile Manifesto that guide project management teams worldwide:
- Individuals over tools: Technology is constantly changing. In the face of rapidly changing processes and tools, it is the human element that can guide any project to its fruition.
- Working processes/software over documentation: As important as documentation is, the focus is on building solutions that work.
- Collaboration over negotiation: As customer needs change fast, it is critical that teams are on the same page as customers to complete a task quicker and better. That can only happen when teams collaborate with clients, and not just negotiate.
- Incorporating responsive changes: Following a plan is important, but what’s more significant is the ability to change focus as well as project direction based on feedback, changing market trends, or existing technology.
What Are the Benefits of Agile?
Agile project management relies on feedback loops to realize wins, and they help save money. By promoting customer and user engagement, this approach strives for continuous improvement while helping with quick decision-making.
Unlike the traditional waterfall approach, ideas get rejected early on and decisions can change according to upcoming market trends. That ensures successful project completion and reduction of losses and production failures. Moreover, it empowers teams and builds accountability.
That’s because teams that work with Agile rely on numerous competencies to get a job done. So, a successful project completion depends on healthy competition, comradery, and creative brainstorming.
What Are Some Agile Project Management Examples?
The most popular examples of Agile project management methodology include Scrum, Adaptive Software Development (ASD), Kanban, Extreme Programming (XP), Feature-Driven Development (FDD), Crystal, Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM), and Lean Software Development (LSD).
In the Scrum framework, you divide a project into smaller subsets called sprints. Each sprint has a set deadline, and the team meets every morning to review the progress they have made so far. If you’re using the Kanban methodology, you use a Kanban board to visualize your progress. The board has three columns, namely, “To Do”, “In Progress”, and “Complete”.
As for ASD (Agile Software Development), it relies on intense user engagement to deliver components and not tasks. The components are divided into primary, technology, and support categories, and the deadlines are decided based on priority and client needs.
A Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) is great for projects with budget constraints since you can focus on the must-have features. Here, tasks are grouped into four categories: must-have, should-have, could-have, and won’t have. When we talk about Extreme Programming, it uses pair programming, unit testing, code review, and frequent interaction with the client.
Agile Project Management Encourages Continuous Improvement
The thing with Agile is that people can refer to it as a methodology, way of thinking, or approach. However, its success as an approach to project management is undeniable. Agile’s reliance on feedback loops and daily meetings creates learning cycles for teams, which, in addition to improving processes, allow them to develop their professional skills.
As for organizational improvements, it ensures an organization becomes flexible and thrives in an adaptive culture by responding to emerging changes.