Why Agile Project Management might be an option

Michael Philipzen
Feb 15, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Jun 3, 2024

Typical Pitfalls of Project Management

Traditional project management methodologies often encounter several pitfalls that impede project success. Some common pitfalls include:

Rigid Planning: Traditional project management relies heavily on detailed upfront planning, which can become obsolete when faced with unexpected changes or uncertainties.
Lack of Flexibility: Traditional approaches follow a linear process, making it challenging to adapt to changing requirements or stakeholder feedback.
Poor Communication: Inadequate communication between team members, stakeholders, and project managers can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and conflicts.
Scope Creep: Scope creep occurs when project requirements continuously expand beyond the initial scope, leading to budget overruns and project delays.

Consequently, most projects can only be as successful as the original planning has planned the success and the path to it.

The waste of money created by failed projects

This may be at least one reason why a significant proportion of projects are not successfully completed.

How Agile Project Management offers solutions

In order to maintain the ability to adapt within defined corridors during the project Agile Project Management (APM) offers a solution to these pitfalls by emphasizing flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability.

Some key features of Agile Project Management include:

Iterative Approach: Agile projects are broken down into smaller iterations or sprints, allowing for frequent feedback and adaptation to changing requirements.
Embracing Change: Agile embraces change by welcoming evolving requirements and incorporating feedback from stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
Collaborative Environment: Agile encourages collaboration among cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and project managers, fostering better communication and shared understanding.
Continuous Improvement: Agile promotes a culture of continuous improvement through retrospectives, where teams reflect on their processes and identify areas for enhancement.

There is a constant tension between planning security and the need for adaptability in projects. The combination of planning cornerstones and elements of APM can fulfil both requirements.

Agile Projects and Value-Based Program Management

Agile Project Management can synergize with value-based Program Management to enhance project outcomes. Some synergies include:

Alignment with Business Objectives: Value-based Program Management ensures that projects align with strategic business objectives, while Agile Project Management enables quick adaptation to changing priorities.
Focus on Value Delivery: Value-based Program Management prioritizes the delivery of value to stakeholders, while Agile Project Management facilitates early and continuous delivery of valuable features.
Risk Management: Value-based Program Management identifies and mitigates risks at the program level, while Agile Project Management addresses risks through iterative planning and frequent feedback loops.

Impulse To Go

By embracing flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability, Agile Project Management enables teams to deliver value in a dynamic and uncertain environment.

Transfer the added value of typical tools from agile management such as