What is agility?
The agile methodology started in software development and it is an iterative approach to software and product delivery that develops software in stages from the start of the project. Rather than presenting the finished software in a big launch, it is delivered in small increments, taking customer needs into account in the process.
Through two week “sprints”, the software or product can be closely monitored and improved to achieve customer satisfaction. The agile project management method accommodates changes in the process, even if it is behind in production. This helps reduce the chances that issues will arise later, as the regular assessment process ensures that issues are resolved as they arise.
Tasks are performed by cross-functional teams, separating tasks into different departments to optimize workflow. All obstacles are discussed and resolved through negotiation and transparency from team members, the agile approach.
Agile is beneficial for more industries than software development, like project management. The agile method increases flexibility, productivity, transparency and stakeholder engagement. It provides better quality products and reduces the risk of missing goals or problems.
What are the different agile methodologies?
There are many different types of agile practices under the umbrella term global. They are often used together to maximize business efficiency, the two most popular methods being Scrum and Kanban.
Scrum: The Scrum Agile Development Methodology is one of the most popular agile methods. Scrum involves roles for members of the project development team, such as the Scrum Master and the Product Owner. The scrum master constantly communicates with the agile team during daily meetings, monitoring the progress of tasks with full documentation. They make sure every sprint has an appropriate workload, with a backlog of tasks to complete.
The Scrum method focuses on continuous improvement, achieving goals and delivering quality work, adjusting priorities so that the most important tasks get the attention they need.
Kanban: The kanban method manages and visually follows the development of projects. “Kanban” translates to “visual board” from Japanese, linked to the idea of ”just in time” manufacturing. The kanban board aims to support the agile principle of continuous delivery.
The agile Kanban methodology supervises projects via a “Kanban Board”, a table divided into columns to illustrate the process of each task and its progress. With the entire development process and work in progress in front of them, team members working on the project can easily see what is in progress and what needs to be done.
Are there any prerequisites for studying agile?
There are no prerequisites for studying agile. Agile processes are for those who are already working in project management and looking for new ways to improve their productivity and hone their skills. An agile course is also beneficial for those new to a business that uses the agile method, or even for those new to project management.
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