Project management is done through different methods and one of them is agile methodology. In this methodology, project management teams break up a project into stages called sprints and collaborate with their stakeholders. This is done to improve the outcome of the project and come up with the desired result. The agile methodology starts with the client explaining the end product they want and the problems that it will solve. Then, the team begins their work, following the process of planning, executing, and evaluating.

The agile methodology works under its four main values:

  • Choose interactions and individuals over tools and processes
  • Accept change more than sticking to a plan
  • Work together with customers more than discussing a contract
  • Use software more than documentation

This methodology is not only used in project management but also in marketing, education, software development, and construction.

What are the principles of agile methodology?

Every project is unique and calls for different approaches. This is why agile methodology provides users with its 12 guiding principles to help teams with their decisions. These principles were from the Agile Manifesto and can greatly help teams in accomplishing more.

  1. The highest priority of every project is the satisfaction of the customer. This is done through the early and continuous delivery of the output desired by the customer.
  2. Teams accept changes that arise at any stage of the project. The agile methodology aims to make use of change to advance the competitive advantage of stakeholders.
  3. Projects are delivered frequently compared to other project management methods. Usually, deliveries occur between two weeks and a month, depending on the desire of the client. But, agile methodology prefers shorter timescales.
  4. Team members work together daily throughout the duration of the project. They must coordinate with each other about the tasks and the desired outcome of the client.
  5. Agile methodology upholds giving members the right environment and support they need to become productive at work. It also promotes trust in the team members that they will get the job done.
  6. Despite technology and software advancement, face-to-face communication is still the key to conveying information within and among teams.
  7. The progress of the team is measured by the final product.
  8. Both teams and stakeholders are able to keep a constant pace for sustainable development.
  9. Agile methodology promotes the focus on good design and technical excellence.
  10. Simplicity is a must with this methodology.
  11. Self-organizing teams come up with the best designs, requirements, and architectures.
  12. The team takes the time to review its ways to become effective at regular intervals. It also adjusts its practices to become better.

Agile Methodology’s basic process

The secret to agile methodology’s effectiveness is how it values client feedback way before a project is finished. This allows the team to correct mistakes and address clients’ requirements. To do these, here is the basic process followed in this methodology.

Planning

The agile methodology starts with the planning stage where the team understands the end goal of the project. They also see the project’s value to the client and the ways to achieve it. The project scope is developed at this point but does not remain unchangeable.

Roadmap creation

The roadmap is composed of the features of the final product which is important in the planning stage. At this stage, the team discusses the features that will be included in the final product.

Release planning

The agile methodology does not have only one implementation date which is after the entire project is completed. Instead, each of its sprints includes a release day where features are given at the end of the sprint. So, the team plans for these releases at the beginning of every sprint.

Sprint planning

During sprint planning, the stakeholders plan the things that need to be accomplished by every member for that particular sprint. This includes the people to work on that sprint and how to achieve the tasks.

Regular meetings

Every sprint should have a daily meeting, even if it is just to discuss the team’s progress. Meetings are used to make changes when necessary and should be kept under 15 minutes. This is the chance for the members to raise their questions and share their accomplishments.

Review and retrospective

There will be two meetings at the end of every sprint. The first one is the review where the team presents the finished product to the stakeholders. This may be done through a video conference. The second one is the retrospective which aims to look at what went well during the sprint. It answers what better actions could have been done and looks at the tasks of every member.

Benefits of agile methodology

Agile methodology has been around for a while now and it has been proven effective for project management. There are numerous benefits of using this methodology and some are listed below.

  1. Adaptability to change. Agile methodology strengthens a team’s adaptability to change. Because of review and retrospective at the end of each sprint, necessary changes are noted and implemented.
  2. Increased success. Sprints are very helpful ways of getting the stakeholders’ feedback. Changes are implemented earlier on.
  3. Increased collaboration. Meetings are held every day throughout a sprint. This encourages collaboration and feedback sharing.
  4. Time-efficiency. With agile methodology, a project is modified along the way, long before it is completed. This saves a lot of time and keeps the team from doing a total revamp on a project.
  5. Target-oriented processes. Agile methodology helps stakeholders and teams meet in the middle and promote understanding. It provides the opportunity to set goals and objectives clearly, as well as the ways to achieve them.
  6. Quality control. This methodology helps ensure that the project is on track, especially since regular meetings and sprint presentations are held. Team members are able to check on each other’s tasks to help ensure accuracy in their work.
  7. Better relationships. Because constant communication through meetings is a priority, members become more comfortable with each other. This is a great way to foster trust and faith in each member.

Agile methodology is beneficial to both the stakeholder and the project team. It is seen that this method will continue to become more popular in the coming years across all industries.

 

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