5 Reasons to Incorporate Agile Management

Work better and faster: Save costs and time by using Agile Management

What is Agile Management?

Agile is a project management method tailored for fast-paced environments, focusing on quick and flexible solutions. This method originated in the software world when program developers realized that more than one development life cycle was needed to discover a solution and that changes might occur during the process. In Agile, employee teams work simultaneously on different project stages, prioritizing speed and adaptability.

Today, Agile management is not only used by software companies. Digital.ai’s 16th annual State of Agile report, a global survey conducted on 3,220 respondents from the Agile community, showed that 80% of all respondents in the survey, spread across different industries including financial services (18%), professional services (8%), healthcare (8%), and others, are using Agile.

The Waterfall Method

Before Agile, there was a traditional management method called The Waterfall. The waterfall approach strongly emphasizes meticulous planning, comprehensive documentation, and strict adherence to a predefined process. It prioritizes delivering a fully finished project, achieved through systematic progression across distinct phases. The Waterfall method is still used in some companies when the requirements are not likely to change frequently and the deadline is far enough.

Source: Adobe (2022), Waterfall methodology — a complete guide

A Different Focus: Waterfall VS. Agile

Benefits of Agile Management

1. Coping with Uncertainty

In today's environment, there is constant change. New competitors enter the market every day and the customer’s needs are different than they were last year. The plan must be adjustable because we can’t predict every change. Strict adherence to a preplanned process might cause us to invest time in the wrong direction.

2. Resource Optimization

The waterfall model is slower than the Agile methodology because you have to complete a phase to move to the next one, and sometimes a minor crisis can delay the whole process. With Agile, work will be more effective because teams will work simultaneously on all the different parts of the project. When the process is shorter, speed to market is optimized, causing an important advantage over the competition.

3. Enhanced Client Satisfaction

The Agile approach allows clients to give you constant feedback because you will present them with each version of the product. Clients will get frequent updates on the project and won’t lose their patience by waiting months to see results. With the agile approach, clients feel involved and appreciated.

4. Streamlining Complexity

When a project is complex it requires multiple iterations. The Agile life cycle is perfect for that. It helps you break the challenge into small problems and implement improvements every time you repeat the process.

5. Enhancing Collaboration

Agile encourages communication between different departments. Collaboration is the key to creativity and innovation. It will also increase the feeling of belonging among your employees and strengthen the connections between them.

Implementing the Agile Method

To effectively incorporate Agile in your company, we recommend starting with the following steps:

Preparation:

• Educate yourself and key stakeholders about Agile principles.

• Assess your company's current processes, culture, and willingness for Agile adoption.

• Clearly define the goals and benefits you hope to achieve through Agile implementation.

• Focus on the customer: Align all endeavors toward meeting the needs of your target market.

Starting with a Pilot Project:

• Select a small, cross-functional team to pilot Agile practices. Keep in mind that there might be some difficulties at first, see them as learning opportunities.

• Train the pilot team on Agile concepts, roles, and practices. Motivate and support them. Encourage them to suggest improvements to the method.

• Begin with a well-defined project and create a product backlog- a prioritized list of functionalities that your product should contain.

Iterative Implementation and Scaling:

• Conduct regular iterations (sprints) with planning, execution, review, and retrospectives.

• Gather feedback and make continuous improvements based on lessons learned.

• Monitor metrics and adapt the Agile approach as needed.

• Gradually scale Agile practices to other teams and projects based on the pilot project’s success.

Remember that Agile adoption is an ongoing process that requires commitment, flexibility, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Each step builds upon the previous one, allowing your company to embrace the Agile methodology successfully.

Contact us to discover how Agile Management can elevate your business.