As more companies move from command and control management to agile project management, it’s important to understand what this means. If you deal with custom software or software development, it’s likely you already have at least a general understanding of agile project management. While it’s not a terribly new concept, it is one not every traditional company is familiar with.
Agile project management uses more of a team approach for projects, rather than a manager always delegating, reviewing and approving. There is great need for this management method when dealing with custom software creation or software development, as the scope of the projects often change with new technologies and abilities. Effective and frequent communications between the stakeholders, developers, designers and managers is necessary, and allows for changes to be integrated sooner rather than later on a project.
Scheduling is frequently a big hurdle for team members working with agile project management. Quick approval processes and fast implementation are common with this process. If you’ve ever worked with custom software projects and software development you may understand why this is so important. And because several people and multiple groups tend to work simultaneously, it’s important to have an expanded and exact tracking system in place.
The collaboration and teamwork promote solid relationships within the team, and encourage respectful interactions and sustained teams. Management often gives teams’ great autonomy, understanding they are skilled and talented professionals chosen to complete the task. Team members are given great control of the project, which results in positive morale, true buy-in and ownership, and in the end, a better product.
As more custom software and software development teams use agile project management, leadership teams will micro-manage less, freeing up their time to focus on the bigger picture. Project teams will understand the vitality of their roles and will use more effective and efficient communication to embrace the fluidity and creative agile project management promotes.