For managers who have helmed multi-team projects, getting word that a client suddenly wants to take a different direction can take the wind out of one’s sails. If you have had a similar experience before, Agile project management (APM) is the key to rapidly adapting to such changes without wasting resources. As such, Agile training is essential for today’s business environment. That said, is it a good fit for your projects? Below is a breakdown of the fundamentals of the Agile methodology and how to get started with using APM.

Agile Project Management defined

Agile project management is an iterative and incremental approach to completing projects throughout their entire lifecycle. This iteration aspect is most common in software development since it promotes what they highly seek: adaptability and speed. Iterations or agile sprints, therefore, involve teams working under the agile methodology work on different project stages simultaneously. This way of doing things enables quick problem-solving and allows for constant revisions in response to customer feedback and project outcomes, all in real time.

Agile is the contrast of legacy project management styles like the waterfall method, wherein projects are delivered linearly, follow distinct phases, work with fixed requirements, and limit customer involvement in the development process.

Is APM suited for every project?

Leveraging APM means teams conduct frequent sprint reviews and Scrum meetings that give them better visibility into the project’s performance. And while the roots of Agile methodology stem from software development, managers can successfully use it for their projects no matter their field. After all, modern businesses now rely on a system to track their progress and complete tasks, whether they make physical products or provide services.

Ideally, Agile is best used when:

• Working with unpredictable requirements that may change during development
• Handling complex projects that warrant frequent iterations
• Frequent feedback to clients or stakeholders is a must
• Projects involve a high degree of uncertainty or risk
• Delivering value is the primary focus

Many companies already use APM to handle their numerous interconnected tasks. If you want to follow suit, consider upskilling your leaders with PMP virtual training such as SF – Project Management Professional (PMP) to get started.

Benefits of APM

Agile project management is best suited for your needs if you value:

1. Increased customer satisfaction

One of the tenets of the Agile Manifesto is to satisfy the customer, and this aligns perfectly with the ultimate goal of any type of project management. And at its core, APM is a customer-centric approach that lets clients enjoy stellar communication, access frequent updates, and lets them be more involved with the process.

2. Quickly adapt and pivot to dynamic changes

A glaring shortcoming with linear projects is that there is no room for modifications upon completing a stage and handing over the work to the next team. This is not the case in APM, where change is expected and welcomed, which is a big plus since projects today tend to be more dynamic and have shifting requirements. Moreover, APM helps reduce risk since you are not working with predictions but rather actual requests and conditions.

3. Improved collaboration

Knowing when is the right time to change the project’s course allows teams to quickly make adjustments without scraping anything and going back to square one, which helps save a significant amount of time, money, and effort.

4. Efficient use of resources

Agile facilitates collaboration not just between the project’s team members but also among other departments in the company, as it inherently encourages check-ins and conversations, breeding creativity and innovation. The agile methodology assigns clear roles to everyone so each knows their place and how and where to contribute.

Conclusion

While the Agile approach to project management can boost your team’s productivity and transparency on whatever project you are working on, just know that it is not particularly suited for complex projects with multiple dependencies. Examples include construction or engineering projects where everything must happen at a specific time since Agile could create unwanted bottlenecks. The same also applies to those in highly-regulated organizations where sign-offs are necessary before starting anything.

Should you wish to learn more about Agile project management, look no further than BridgingMinds. Whether you wish to start at the basics with our SF – Agile Project Management Foundation or step up your skills with our Agile Project Management Practitioner course, our quality courses will provide you with the training you need to stay competitive. To learn more about our other courses like CompTIA Security+, SF – DevOps Foundation, and SF – ITIL® 4 Foundation, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.