In today’s globalised age, IT companies are constantly faced with new competitors and the challenges of an interconnected world. To stay on top of their game, corporations must go the extra mile in implementing a comprehensive structure to strategise and execute their tasks efficiently.
To accomplish these goals, various companies have begun implementing agile methodology into their existing work processes – a revolutionary approach that improves task management processes and increases team productivity. While this framework is still a relatively new concept, it has already significantly impacted project management.
Enterprises have reported that the incorporation of agile project planning has granted them smoother project delivery, allowing them to satisfy customer needs with ease and resolve software issues at a quicker pace.
However, what constitutes agile project management? And how do you create an agile project plan? These are the common questions that spring to the mind of a project manager when exposed to the agile methodology for the first time. If you share similar queries, rest assured that we are here to answer them. Let us share what agile project management is and how you can create an effective agile project plan.
The definition of agile project management
The agile methodology refers to an iterative, adaptive solution to project management focusing on rapid change and flexibility. This framework aims to deliver value to consumers at a faster pace. It focuses on breaking up the project management into several stages – work sessions that are termed sprints. Sprints can take place from a few days up to a couple of weeks, where IT experts are tasked to run their design phases and test them for quality assurance.
This agile method aims to give project management teams the power to release project segments only upon completion. By doing so, the majority of the work sessions are guaranteed to be successful. And if any mishaps occur, immediate remediation can be made. The belief is that this technique helps reduce the chances of large-scale failures and ensure continuous improvement throughout the project lifecycle.
Agile also emphasises collaboration and keeping an open line of communication between the various team members. Groups that are adopting agile planning need to be ready to embrace change and trust their colleagues to produce quality work. For starters, one individual, typically the product owner, will oversee the overarching tasks, and the other team members are required to chart out the project planning and get the work done. An organisation that utilises this approach works incrementally, continuously evaluates the requirements and results, and responds quickly to any changes that crop up.
Why planning matters in the agile methodology
Agile planning is highly effective for IT businesses, specifically those looking to increase team productivity and enterprise growth. By dividing your project into smaller and more achievable tasks, there is a clear picture of your current project’s goals. The various project stakeholders involved will work together to ensure the quality of the product is top-notch and deliver results as promised.
Project managers can also rest assured that your IT team will be solely focused on solving the job at hand instead of simultaneously tending to various projects. This omits room for errors and eliminates the stress of team members fretting over pre-existing backlog tasks.
Furthermore, agile planning creates a repeatable process that aids teams in learning how much they can achieve per sprint. Such iterative means effectively allow IT specialists to estimate the number of project segments they can complete within a given timeframe and uncover new problems that may impede their overall progress.
Organisation skills are improved throughout the company, as flaws are fixed at a faster pace, and IT specialists can swiftly update project iterations. As such, all working features are proven to be refined and can be quickly rolled out to end-users.
How to form an agile project plan
Switching to an agile organisation is no easy feat, but it will be much easier to achieve when you have a proper agile project plan in mind. The first step is to host a planning meeting to discuss the project vision and scope with your team members. Together, the team needs to define a business need that your project addresses and the means you intend to attain it. Ultimately, you want to create an effective plan that generates the results you desire.
Once you have a clear strategy in place, you can then translate that vision into a comprehensive product roadmap. This means considering the overall outcome, metrics, and features you want to accomplish during the project. Next, craft a release plan – a scheduled timetable of each project release. Because agile projects have multiple releases, you must launch the essential deliverables first.
The following step is to execute your sprint planning. This means planning short, viable cycles of development in which specific tasks and goals are carried out. After each sprint cycle is completed, a functioning piece of software is shipped. Once a sprint is completed, take this opportunity to review the entire iteration process and identify areas of improvement. By doing so, your next project sprint will be more streamlined and productive.
Conclusion
Agile planning can reduce considerable effort, time, and cost on a project that may be otherwise spent on correction, repetition, and last-minute meetings. As such, it is not surprising to find many companies looking to adopt this revolutionary framework.
However, implementing agile methodology requires an in-depth understanding of the framework, and project managers need to educate their team members on how they can transition into their new roles. As such, it is vital for you and your team to consider enrolling in an agile training course to help everyone prepare for the transition to an agile project management framework.
At BridgingMinds, we offer an extensive range of agile and project management training courses for professionals looking for upskill opportunities. Our team of qualified instructors can guide you on the requirements of agile planning and how to develop and implement a successful agile project plan.
