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Using Agile with Traditional Project Management Methodologies
by Susan Parente and Mark Tolbert

Dec 10, 2020 | Uncategorized

We live in very interesting times!  There is volatility in highly competitive global markets and engaging with remote resources is now far from an anomaly.  Organizations that are resilient and work to innovative, can provide the right set of products and services at the right time.

As project managers, we are helping our organizations survive in this difficult landscape. We are change agents and often champions for organizational change. The most important project management methodology that will help us deal with this change and this volatility is “Agile”.  All project managers need to understand at least the core principles of Agile and why Agile is so important. Agile development approaches encourage customer engagement and the iterative development of the project’s product via collaboration of cross-functional team members.  Predictive approaches, on the other hand, collect requirements, develop the project’s product, and deliver to the customer at the end of the project.  In summary, Agile does it with the customer, predictive does it to the customer.

One process or project management methodology does not fit all situations!  Agile is not a cure-all for all projects. When an organization implements agile for their project management approach, they usually learn many aspects of a project are not suited to agile. Some parts of the project are best suited to using a predictive planning approach while other parts are more suited to using Agile.  As PMs, we need to be flexible, wear multiple hats and mature along with the project situation.  Don’t be a strict Agile Scrum partisan or “Scrumdamentalist”[1]  (one who believes in using pure Agile Scrum or not using it at all).  There are strengths and weaknesses in different approaches, and the more we are aware of these, the more effective we will be. We should be open to using “Hybrid approaches” that include both the agile and traditional approach.

In our book, Hybrid Project Management: Using Agile with Traditional Project Management Methodologies,  we  explore several key risks frequently faced on projects, and how Agile can help us mitigate these potential problems. We also address how and when a traditional project management approach using predictive planning is more appropriate.

Click here to order Hybrid Project Management: Using Agile with Traditional Project Management Methodologies and I’ll send you a signed copy.

 

[1] Coined by Susan Parente, PMP, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP

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