The agile business methodology lines up with product development according to the user’s needs and customer desires. It boasts a 64% success rate compared to the 49% success rate of the more traditional waterfall methodology. Modern development comprises cross-functional, team-based, and complex activities.
Firms use various management tools and methodologies to combine all project participants effectively. This article explores these methodologies. We will discuss different Agile project management methodologies and their benefits.
What is the Agile methodology?
First, let us explain what Agile methodology is. Agile methodology is a project management framework. It breaks projects down into different dynamic phases, generally known as sprints. The Agile framework is a repetitive methodology. After every sprint, the project team reflects and reviews to see if everything is going smoothly. Also, they observe if anything could be improved so they can fix their strategy for the next sprint.
Top Common Agile Methodologies
The Agile framework is an umbrella for many different variations. Below, we have discussed a few of the most common Agile methodologies. Please keep reading to know them.
Kanban
Kanban is a visual approach to Agile. Generally, teams use online Kanban board tools to represent where particular tasks are in the development process. Cards show tasks on a board, whereas stages are shown in columns. When team members work on tasks, they shift cards from the backlog column to the task’s stage column. This methodology is a good way for teams to identify roadblocks and determine how much work is getting done.
Scrum
Scrum is a standard Agile methodology. It is particularly beneficial for small teams and also involves sprints. The Scrum master leads a team whose main task is to clear all hurdles for others executing the daily work. Scrum teams meet daily to discuss roadblocks, active tasks, and anything else that may impact the development team. There are two vital events related to Scrum. These are Sprint planning and Sprint retrospective. The first event kicks off the sprint. Sprint planning tells what can be delivered in a sprint and how.
Meanwhile, the second event is a recurring event. It acts as a sprint review to iterate on understandings and learnings from the last sprint. Doing so improves and streamlines the upcoming one.
Extreme Programming (XP)
Generally, Extreme Programming is used in software development. It is an Agile framework that outlines values that will enable your team to work together more efficiently. The five values of XP are simplicity, communication, courage, feedback, and respect. Just like daily Scrum standups, there are regular releases and iterations. However, Extreme Programming is way more technical in its approach. If your development team has to release and respond to client requests quickly, XP immediately focuses on the “how” to do it.
Adaptive Project Framework (APF)
The Adaptive Project Framework is also called Adaptive Project Management (APM). It grew from the idea that unknown elements can appear at any time during a project. This technique is primarily used for IT projects. This is because, in IT projects, more traditional project management techniques don’t apply. The basis of this framework is the idea that project resources can alter at any time. For instance, timelines can shift, and budgets can change. Also, team members working on the project may transfer to different teams. APF aims at a project’s resources instead of focusing on the resources a project needs.
Extreme Project Management (XPM)
This type of project management is usually used for very complicated projects with a high level of uncertainty. This approach involves constantly adjusting processes until they achieve the desired result. This kind of project includes many spontaneous changes. In this kind of situation, it’s normal for teams to change strategies from one week to the next.
XPM needs a lot of flexibility. This is one of the reasons why every sprint is short—only a few weeks maximum. This methodology enables trial-and-error approaches to problems and frequent changes. Also, it allows many iterations of self-correction.
Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
“This Agile methodology allows teams to quickly change according to changing requirements. The main aim of this method is non-stop adaptation. The phases of this project type are speculation, collaboration, and learning. It allows for constant learning as the project goes on.
It’s not unusual for teams running ASD to be in all three stages simultaneously. Because of its non-linear structure, the stages usually overlap. Because of the fluidity of this type of management, there’s a good chance that the repetition of the three phases helps team members. It allows members to identify and solve problems quicker than traditional project management methods.” – Te Wu, CEO of PMO Advisory
Dynamic Systems Development
It is one of the top Agile methods. It aims at an entire project lifecycle. Because of this, DSDM has a much more rigorous foundation, unlike other Agile methods.
Benefits of Using Agile Methodologies
Agile methodology is one of the most renowned methods of project management. It is because of its flexibility, it is adaptable to changes, and it encourages consumer feedback. Many teams embrace this method to attain the following benefits of Agile:
- Rapid progress: By effectively decreasing the time it takes to complete different project phases, teams can elicit feedback in real-time. Also, they can produce working demos or prototypes throughout the process.
- Customer and stakeholder alignment: By aiming at stakeholder feedback and customer concerns, the Agile team is well-positioned to produce outcomes that satisfy the right people
- Non-stop improvement: As an iterative approach, the Agile project management methodology allows teams to stick to tasks until they get the best result
Conclusion
As we all know, the competition is continually increasing. Plus, time to market is also decreasing. At this time, agile offers many benefits and limited drawbacks. More and more firms are transitioning to a digital workplace highly dependent on flexibility, speed, and increased productivity. Therefore, agile or hybrid methodologies will become increasingly important. Its application in different industries and alignment with the benefits provided by a digital workplace model shows that agile adoption rates will continue to rise across industries globally.
