The Agile Methodology seeks to achieve the phased development of ambitious projects in specific times.
How to build an effective and flexible strategy with Agile Methodology
Today’s business dream is to have efficient teams that can continuously develop a workflow according to customer needs.
The Agile methodology is at the forefront, and takes special importance in the times and tasks of project developers, who are the human capital that makes any result possible.
The Agile method is designed to achieve the phased development of ambitious projects in a given time. Although its application is mostly associated with IT projects, it can be applied to any type of business strategy.
How was the Agile methodology born?
The practice is recent, it was only in 2001 when representatives of renowned software and technology development companies exchanged ideas on the methods that worked best for them to see efficiency within their organizations. Thus, the so-called Agile Manifesto was created, which is nothing more than a manual for executing scalable improvement tactics, with which it is possible to plan, control and improve results.
Within what these CEOs were looking for, was to be able to demand their employees delivery times in stages, leave aside procrastination, dispersion and make each of the processes more efficient.
Ways of Agile methodology
There are four ways to apply this methodology, generally according to the type of project and the time available for planning. It is up to managers to choose the one that best suits their company.
Generally, in any type of application, the teams hold daily sessions in which each member must break down which tasks have been completed, which ones will be performed and, if there are any, point out the obstacles encountered in the process.
1. XP
This type of scheme is specially designed for IT development. Therefore, it divides the tasks thinking about the four main roles in the creation of a software: Leader, client, programmer and tester. A role does not have to do with a specific person, but rather with the fulfillment of a process and how it leads to a clear objective. Continuous conversations defined as dailing are part of the dynamics of this type of methodology, since it is important for each role to know about the progress of the other.
Scrum: The analysis of data already conceived by the company is the premise of this type of methodology application. When a project has already been carried out previously, it yields results that are capable of improving future executions. Initially, specific roles are designated and then deadlines and goals are set by the project leader.
2. Kanban
Periodic meetings are also part of this planning approach, one of the most used by companies that apply the Agile methodology. Not doing work in vain is the premise. They have determined that organizations constantly overproduce due to lack of control and failures in the analysis of results.
3. Lean
The work stages are controlled by this scheme in a more rigid way than in the previous ones. Imagine that you have a food store, according to this method you will only cook what the customer asks for and at the right time. So overworking or overproducing materials is completely ruled out.
How to apply this method in your workplace?
1. Become adept at identifying your direct objectives.
Take notes on what you need from this methodology and why you think your company needs it. Knowing where it can help your specific situation will tell you where to start in your planning.
2. Show your leadership in communication
Know what the work dynamics of your subordinates are like, and if constant management through regular meetings could help the work dynamics.
3. Think about your clientele
They say that the customer is always right. Before applying the method, think about how you could improve your customer’s experience through different planning. Determine what they demand from you, and at what time they do it, that way you will be working with your audience in mind.
4. What do I have and what am I missing?
Utopically, we all have what we need to succeed and be more productive. But, the reality of the companies is different, they need to measure if they really have the human capital, technological resources, infrastructure and the allocation of resources by suppliers so that it can be executed as we want it, it is a successful move.
5. Feed off experiences
Involving the leaders and veterans of the company could give you the support you need, after all, they have the living history of the organization and know the changes it may have gone through. The Agile methodology represents a change of processes and therefore it is necessary to have the full support of people willing to give their all and also to look for technological ways to grow.
6. Choose wisely
As we explained above, there are different types of Agile methodology that can be adapted to your company. This decision is as important as the willingness of employees to modify the execution of projects in favor of simplicity.
Examples of leadership
Some well-known organizations such as BBVA Provincial, Citrix, Gailén, IBM, Apple, Inditex, Walmart, Spotify, use this method as part of their planning schemes and boy, has it worked.
All report an increase in employee productivity, dynamism and improvements in net production according to specific objectives. They also indicate that the allocation of resources was made after a thorough evaluation of risk analysis and previous experience.
In summary, the Agile Methodology is capable of improving the quality of work, minimizing the margin of error and increasing productivity in companies, taking into account that processes are not done in vain.
There are no personnel limits to apply this method. From small teams to payrolls with more than 200,000 employees have implemented it.
Those who apply this methodology have in their hands the ability to employ multidisciplinary teams that work together, shoulder to shoulder, throughout the process.
If you want to learn more about the study of this methodology you can consult the Master in Agile Methodologies and Project Management and the Master in Agile Methodologies and Digital Transformation.