Agile project management is a flexible approach that helps managers organize ongoing projects and plan for future projects. The agile project management approach is revolutionary in a way as it differs from the traditional project management approaches that we have generally had around us. The process is more refined and has multiple steps in it.
What Is Agile Project Management?
Agile project management is the process of breaking a process or a project down into different manageable steps with a focus on customer collaboration and responsiveness. This flexible and contemporary approach toward project management is still relatively new in organizations and is still in the process of being fully implemented. Manufacturers and project managers that use agile project management tend to see improved efficiency and rapid progress in their core processes.
Agile project management works in total contrast to other traditional project management approaches. In a more traditional process, project teams set specific goals, create a defined path to achieve the goal and implement the process in the best manner possible. With agile project management, every goal is broken down into smaller goals, which when achieved over a period of time, will help achieve the ultimate goal.
Traditional project management followed a linear approach, where steps in the process had to be completed before organizations could jump onto the next one. The agile project management approach splits the project into smaller parts and processes that can be tracked and followed concurrently.
The methodologies considered common in agile project management include:
- Scrum
- Extreme programming (XP)
- Crystal
- Feature-driven development (FDD)
All of these methodologies follow the principles, steps and core values of agile project management in one way or the other. It is necessary to understand all of these essential details to know of the agile project management process in full.
Core Agile Project Management Values
Core agile project management values include:
Individuals and Interactions Over Tools and Processes
Agile project management is all about bridging the gap between individuals. The agile project management methodology dictates that human interaction is necessary and managers should always check in with customers and team members frequently to ensure that the project is headed in the right direction and that they are happy.
Software Over Comprehensive Documentation
Traditional project management methodologies require comprehensive and elaborate documentation of all technical processes, upgrades and regular values. Agile project management values the process of documentation just as much, but implements software operations to achieve the necessary results here.
Customer Collaboration Over Negotiation
Agile project management dictates that customers should be part of the design and production process. The input of customers should be noticed and included at the start of the project, rather than at its conclusion. This allows teams to take positive steps meant for overall glory.
Immediate Response to Change
Organizations that follow an agile project management strategy should be immediately willing to respond to change as the process moves on. Instead of following predetermined conclusions, organizations should use formative assessment techniques to market the best products to customers.
Principles of Agile Project Management
Agile project management is based on a number of key principles, which include:
1. The highest priority of Agile is to satisfy and appease customers through the delivery process, regardless of what the product is.
2. Welcome change in the processes, even if it is late in the development process. Agile processes pave the way for change in the customer’s competitive advantage.
3. Break down projects and processes into smaller goals to deliver frequently.
4. Team members must coordinate to achieve results.
5. Projects should be built around motivated and inspired individuals. Give your staff the support and environment they need to get jobs done.
6. Face-to-face conversation is necessary and can help generate results where nothing else can.
7. The final product should be used as the primary metric to measure progress.
8. Agile processes are mostly sustainable in the long run.
9. Continuous attention is to be put on good design and technical excellence.
10. The best designs, requirements and architectures are achieved from self-organizing teams.
11. Simplicity is essential for maximizing output.
12. The team should reflect on how to become more effective at regular intervals.
Agile Project Management Steps
The agile project management process is broken down into six integral steps:
1. Project Planning: Before work is begun, the team must determine the end goal for completion. The project should be planned with the goal in mind.
2. Project Roadmap: The project roadmap is to be created with a mention of the all the features to be included in the project. This is a list of elements.
3. Release Planning: The release planning is a calendar that highlights when prototypes, finished goods and other offerings can be released for customers to view. The expectation is to review individual pieces and steps of the process.
4. Sprint Planning: Sprints are small cycles that usually end with some release. Sprint planning needs to be detailed, providing effective directions and detailed guidelines.
5. Daily Meeting: Each workday during a sprint planning day should begin with a meeting between all team members. Team members are required to share their successes here, along with the challenges from the previous day.
6. Sprint Review: This review is the inspection of the feedback generated by customers on the final element or release. The feedback here can help set long-term goals.
Agile project management is an extensive process that goes through a number of detailed instructions. With the key values, steps and principles discussed in this article, project managers and learners will find themselves in a better place to improve quality and give their best.
