Agile project management (APM) is a simple and effective way to complete larger projects, by breaking it into several distinct phases. The methodology ensures that you clarify your starting point, allowing you to effectively measure progress and success. It also keeps end users informed throughout the development phase, helping to flag and modify potential issues which may have otherwise hampered progress further down the line.
There are generally five phases in an APM.
1. Envision
The start of any AGM involves understanding what the overall project will deliver (i.e. the end product or result), the team that will be involved in both delivering the project and reviewing, and other stakeholders in the project.
The benefit of this? Clarity and input at the start of any project allows the actual tasks to be completed much more efficiently, with increased transparency to all involved and control.
2. Speculate
The next step is to identify all of the steps involved in creating the final product, ensuring that everyone is involved. Phase two should also involve optimising the delivery process to ensure efficiency.
The benefit of this? Ensuring a core sense of collaboration gives much greater customer satisfaction, while clear steps throughout the project give purpose and trust that each step will deliver when needed.
3. Explore
The work begins! During the explore phase, the team will work through each of the steps, completing the tasks thoroughly before moving to the next stage.
The benefit of this? Working through a project is phases offers greater flexibility. This means that if a problem is identified, it can be resolved during the process and priorities can be adjusted if needed as there’s always a clear overview of everything involved.
4. Adapt
One of the key parts of any APM plan is the adapt phase. This focuses on gathering feedback from all stakeholders, including customer and staff, to efficiently identify and eliminate any issues.
As the name might imply, the ability to adapt and make changes to the project is crucial to bringing about
The benefit of this? This is one of the biggest benefits of agile working! Rather than focusing on feedback once the work is completed, by checking in at each stage it prevents small issues from becoming larger problems further down the line. It also fosters a happier team, knowing they have the freedom to give feedback and problem-solve, rather than holding feedback until it’s too late to address.
5. Close
During this final phase, the team checks the final delivery against the project deliverables, including any amends that have come about during the various phases. There is also an assessment of the overall project to ensure any mistakes aren’t repeated in future projects.
The benefit of this? By fostering a sense of collaboration, flexibility, and continuous improvement, it removes a lot of the headaches that can accompany the launch of a project.
From improved team morale to clear evidence of any changes made, to more satisfied customers, having been involved in the process, there are so many benefits to agile project management.
