Agile methodologies and agile project management are primarily used in software development to fix novel ideas in-between developments. Others have adopted the Agile methods as it may help offer a solution in terms of flexibility and meeting client demands. This model focuses on quality products and services in a short period, rather than the ‘waterfall’ plan, which focuses on an extended model.
Agile methodology can be explained in business as a breakdown of long-term projects. A four-year plan could be broken down into shorter time frames. New methods are adopted during these time frames to help the business meet the demands of an unpredictable market trend as well as unexpected client needs.
Understanding Agile Methodologies
Just like their counterparts in software development, project managers in business organizations could acquire major Agile models and utilize them to make a successful venture.
These major methodologies include:
- Scrum
Scrum is a framework that includes time frames, set goals, and teams. One team is tasked with working together in a particular time frame to achieve the objectives set. A sprint is a major pillar in this model. A sprint is like a time box within which teams work on goals and tasks. Sprints start with sprint meetings, where objectives and goals are set first. Concerns such as the main features, priorities of the project, and potential challenges are also discussed during these.
- Lean Methodology
Lean methodology focuses on eliminating wastes—the unwanted values of an organization and non-productive models. The method focuses on creating value for customers by understanding their needs, preferences, and demands. While lean methods may not eliminate a company’s current structure, they stresses Agile models such as quick deliveries and customer feedback.
- Kanban
The Kanban model focuses on timely production and structure. It’s a ‘just-in-time’ model that tries to eliminate the in-process inconveniences that may delay the production time or reduce its quality. This method also allows for the contribution of team members to the production through a flexible schedule. It, however, doesn’t advocate for a change in the setup. When using this method, you need to finish the current task, and any changes should be gradual.
How Agile Methods Help Businesses
As a business person looking to make a successful venture, you might need to consider adopting the Agile structures. These models come with benefits to your organization.
Such benefits may include the following:
- Adapt To The Market Faster
Customer demands may keep changing over time. Adopting Agile methods will mean you won’t have to revise your whole project plan to meet these demands. A minor alteration to an Agile model may help you meet the demands much faster and adapt to the changing market trends efficiently.
- Better Teamwork
When using the Scrum method, team members always work together during sprints. The collaboration to develop plans, goals, and tackle potential challenges may help improve teamwork among members. This togetherness may have benefits to your business as the output will be faster and of high quality.
- Improves Transparency
Because more people are involved in the production and decision-making processes, there’s improved company transparency. This will increase accountability as every team member is aware of the progress and milestones achieved by a department or the company. In traditional structures, one person may have been tasked with all the steps, which may have caused the other members to lack knowledge of the involved procedures or a product’s progress.
- Better Employee Satisfaction
As your employees are divided into smaller teams to carry out different projects, they’re more involved in the decision-making for the products. When a company adopts the Kanban method, employees can be more focused on handling the task at hand instead of being distracted by the frequent changes the management may make.
The improved teamwork between team members may also improve their relationships as they work in closer units. These factors may significantly improve employee satisfaction, and more contented employees may lead to better work outcomes.
- Improved Client Satisfaction
The Agile structures are flexible and accommodative to feedback and new ideas. One of the major ways to improve a product could be using the reviews of the product for enhancement. Because Agile models have room for changes, the feedback can be integrated to fit the clients’ demands. Satisfied clients may have a positive impact on the growth of your business. You may be able to keep them and gain new ones through referrals and recommendations from your contended clients.
- Save Money
By lowering production risks and reducing the model’s time structure, you may be able to cut costs and save money in the long run. Unlike the ‘waterfall’ structures that focus on more extended plans and could have caused losses to the company in case of a product failure in the market, Agile methods can adapt to changes quickly.
If a product is launched to the market and doesn’t meet the company’s expectations, it may recall it without having to make major changes in its business model. Such cost-cutting measures might greatly save money which can be used on other aspects of business operations.
- Better Business Value
One objective of the Lean business model is to eliminate waste and improve customer value. Each day, consumer value may vary relative to a company’s product. If a company sets its project in a long-term structure, it may not always meet the customer’s changing demands.
A more flexible and feedback-based Agile method may allow the company to keep customer value and, in turn, improve its business value. A business’s credibility may be determined by factors such as effective production, adaptability, and ability to solve a consumer’s problem. Agile methods may be crucial in helping you raise the value of a company.
- Reduce Risks
The use of teams to tackle small units of issues allows team members to give their views and opinions concerning the production process. This may help reduce errors and, in turn, the subsequent risk of having to recall products after they’ve reached more advanced production levels or launched in the market.
Be Agile
Adopting an Agile method for your production and business structure may be beneficial. It helps to reduce organizational challenges in several ways. Leveraging this methodology may be a good step in taking your enterprise to a new level.
It could be challenging for an organization that bases its operations on traditional methods to survive in a competitive environment. Knowing when to use the different Agile approaches is also important in your journey towards business growth. You may be able to meet and keep up with the ever-changing consumer demands if you know how and when to apply these methods.
