In the world of project management, new methodologies and frameworks are constantly being developed to try and improve how things are currently done. Agile project management is one such methodology that has gained much popularity recently due to its emphasis on flexibility and adaptability.
So what exactly is agile project management? Agile is an iterative and incremental project management approach focused on delivering value to the customer through continuous delivery of working software. Agile project management is not a silver bullet that will solve all your project management problems. Still, it can help to address some common issues that can arise during traditional waterfall projects.
Here, we take a look at some of the critical problems that agile project management can help to solve:
1. Lack of customer involvement
One of the most common problems that can occur during a traditional waterfall project is the lack of customer involvement. This can lead to a disconnect between what the customer wants and what is being delivered, ultimately resulting in a failed project.
Agile project management solves this problem by involving the customer throughout the development process. This way, the customer can provide feedback at each stage of the project, which helps to ensure that what is being delivered is actually what they want.
2. Inflexibility
Agile specialist Alexander James Raymond says that the main advantage of agile over waterfall is its flexibility in how it’s used and how easily it can adapt to the specific needs of a project.
This lack of flexibility is one of the critical problems that agile project management helps to solve. By its very nature, agile is a flexible methodology that can adapt to the specific needs of a project. If something isn’t working, it can be changed quickly and easily without disrupting the entire project.
3. Lack of communication
Communication is vital to the success of any project, yet it is often one of the areas that traditional waterfall projects tend to struggle with. It is usually because there is a lack of communication between different team members and between the team and the customer.
Agile project management emphasizes communication at all levels, which helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project is progressing as planned. It also helps to improve transparency and accountability, as everyone knows what is expected of them, and they can see the progress that is being made.
4. Scope creep
Alex defines scope creep as “the tendency for the scope of a project to gradually increase over time.” It is often since new requirements are added as the project progresses, which can ultimately lead to the project going over budget and taking longer than expected to complete.
Agile project management overcomes this by using a technique called scope mapping, which helps to ensure that only the essential requirements are included in the project scope. This way, the project stays within its budget and can be completed on time.
In summary, agile project management is a flexible and adaptable approach that can help to solve some of the most common problems that can occur during traditional waterfall projects. Agile might be the right choice for you if you’re looking for a way to improve your project management skills. Contact Alex Raymond of Michigan today if you need help getting started.
