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Agile Methodology
Project Management
Scrum
Agile vs Traditional
Product Development
Agile Methodology
Project Management
Scrum
Agile vs Traditional
Product Development
ARTICLE #119
Agile Project Management: What is it and why is it important?
Agile Methodology
Project Management
Scrum
Agile vs Traditional
Product Development
Agile Methodology
Project Management
Scrum
Agile vs Traditional
Product Development
Written by:
5 min read
Updated on: October 17, 2024
Iryna Osadcha
Project Manager
Creative Operations, Project Coordination
Iryna Osadcha
Project Manager
Creative Operations, Project Coordination
A project can rise to success or crumble in a heartbeat without the right project management approach—especially in the digital world, where things change faster. That’s where agile project management comes in: an iterative, collaborative method that cuts big tasks into smaller, easier-to-digest segments (often called sprints).
By adopting Agile, teams become more flexible and capable of tackling issues on the fly—avoiding the paralysing effect of rigid processes. If you’re ready to step up your game and manage digital projects with fewer headaches (and maybe more fun), read on to see how Agile could be your new secret weapon.
A project can rise to success or crumble in a heartbeat without the right project management approach—especially in the digital world, where things change faster. That’s where agile project management comes in: an iterative, collaborative method that cuts big tasks into smaller, easier-to-digest segments (often called sprints).
By adopting Agile, teams become more flexible and capable of tackling issues on the fly—avoiding the paralysing effect of rigid processes. If you’re ready to step up your game and manage digital projects with fewer headaches (and maybe more fun), read on to see how Agile could be your new secret weapon.
What is agile project management?
What is agile project management?
Agile Project Management, often known simply as APM, is an approach that divides your project into short cycles called iterations or sprints. Each cycle includes planning, development, testing, and a review—usually culminating in a working piece of the final product. Rather than waiting months (or years) to unveil a grand launch, Agile favours mini-releases that gather quick feedback from stakeholders so you can adapt as you go.
Some refer to APM as a “methodology,” but it’s more a mindset influenced by the Agile Manifesto—a set of principles that emphasise adaptation, collaboration, and steady progress over strict, traditional requirements. Essentially, you’re always ready to tweak things rather than doggedly stick to an original plan that might be outdated by next week.
Agile Project Management, often known simply as APM, is an approach that divides your project into short cycles called iterations or sprints. Each cycle includes planning, development, testing, and a review—usually culminating in a working piece of the final product. Rather than waiting months (or years) to unveil a grand launch, Agile favours mini-releases that gather quick feedback from stakeholders so you can adapt as you go.
Some refer to APM as a “methodology,” but it’s more a mindset influenced by the Agile Manifesto—a set of principles that emphasise adaptation, collaboration, and steady progress over strict, traditional requirements. Essentially, you’re always ready to tweak things rather than doggedly stick to an original plan that might be outdated by next week.
Why is agile project management important?
Agile project management is commonly used in software development or other types of application development. As software is constantly changing, the needs of the product also have to change with it. Project managers are now adopting several technologies using APM to complete projects.
1. Faster delivery to market
In a hyper-competitive market, dragging your feet can be fatal. By breaking work into smaller modules, your team tests and refines features quickly—and if something doesn’t fly, you find out fast. That shortens your product’s time to market, giving you a head start on competitors clinging to slower, traditional methods.
2. Better risk management
Traditional project management can be rigid, with risk lurking until it explodes near deadline day. Agile handles risk head-on through incremental releases. If a snag arises—maybe a feature flops in user testing—you can pivot before sinking a fortune into the entire project. That early feedback loop allows proactive fixes, saving your budget and your reputation.
3. Stronger teamwork
Ever endured long, drawn-out comms chains in older project setups? Agile flips that on its head by pushing short, frequent stand-ups or check-ins (hello, Scrum), plus continuous communication with stakeholders. Collaboration becomes the norm, not an afterthought. And when changes come up, the team can pivot smoothly rather than unravelling months of rigid planning.
4. Emphasis on flexibility
Let’s say halfway through building a mobile app; you discover new user demands or a competitor’s new feature that outshines yours. In a traditional method, that spells chaos. In Agile, you simply adjust the sprint backlog, pivot your tasks, and keep rolling. A bit of spontaneity, matched with structure, encourages ongoing innovation rather than locking everything in stone from day one.
5. Quick adapting to industry changes
Think of how often user tastes or technology evolves (looking at you, AI). Agile’s iterative cycles make it easier to respond. Feature requests or new ideas can be slotted in, tested, and refined. In short, it’s a method that thrives on real-time feedback and rapid changes rather than suffering from them.
Agile project management is commonly used in software development or other types of application development. As software is constantly changing, the needs of the product also have to change with it. Project managers are now adopting several technologies using APM to complete projects.
1. Faster delivery to market
In a hyper-competitive market, dragging your feet can be fatal. By breaking work into smaller modules, your team tests and refines features quickly—and if something doesn’t fly, you find out fast. That shortens your product’s time to market, giving you a head start on competitors clinging to slower, traditional methods.
2. Better risk management
Traditional project management can be rigid, with risk lurking until it explodes near deadline day. Agile handles risk head-on through incremental releases. If a snag arises—maybe a feature flops in user testing—you can pivot before sinking a fortune into the entire project. That early feedback loop allows proactive fixes, saving your budget and your reputation.
3. Stronger teamwork
Ever endured long, drawn-out comms chains in older project setups? Agile flips that on its head by pushing short, frequent stand-ups or check-ins (hello, Scrum), plus continuous communication with stakeholders. Collaboration becomes the norm, not an afterthought. And when changes come up, the team can pivot smoothly rather than unravelling months of rigid planning.
4. Emphasis on flexibility
Let’s say halfway through building a mobile app; you discover new user demands or a competitor’s new feature that outshines yours. In a traditional method, that spells chaos. In Agile, you simply adjust the sprint backlog, pivot your tasks, and keep rolling. A bit of spontaneity, matched with structure, encourages ongoing innovation rather than locking everything in stone from day one.
5. Quick adapting to industry changes
Think of how often user tastes or technology evolves (looking at you, AI). Agile’s iterative cycles make it easier to respond. Feature requests or new ideas can be slotted in, tested, and refined. In short, it’s a method that thrives on real-time feedback and rapid changes rather than suffering from them.
What are the principles of agile project management?
Nothing better explains the principles of the agile project management method than the Agile Manifesto. The manifesto has 12 guiding principles, which are mentioned below.
1. Satisfy customers through fast and continuous delivery. When customers receive new updates on a regular basis, they are more likely to see the changes they want within the product, which leads to more satisfied customers and more recurring revenue.
2. Welcome changing requirements even late in development. It gives customers a competitive advantage. Being inflexible in Agile brings more harm than good.
3. Deliver value to customers or stakeholders frequently to make it less likely for them to churn.
4. Break silos of projects and increase collaboration.
5. Build projects around committed and actively working teams to achieve a goal.
6. Face-to-face communication, such as Zoom calls, is needed if working with a distributed team.
7. A final working software/product is the ultimate measure of success.
8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. Though some aspects can be fast-paced, the pace shouldn't be too fast to burn out team members.
9. If the team develops excellence in one sprint, they can continuously improve and move faster in the future.
10. A simple solution is best because Agile doesn't aim to overcomplicate things but finds simple answers to complex problems.
11. Self-organised and proactive teams become the most valuable assets to the company because they strive to deliver value.
12. Teams use regular intervals to improve efficiency through fine-tuning behaviour.
Nothing better explains the principles of the agile project management method than the Agile Manifesto. The manifesto has 12 guiding principles, which are mentioned below.
1. Satisfy customers through fast and continuous delivery. When customers receive new updates on a regular basis, they are more likely to see the changes they want within the product, which leads to more satisfied customers and more recurring revenue.
2. Welcome changing requirements even late in development. It gives customers a competitive advantage. Being inflexible in Agile brings more harm than good.
3. Deliver value to customers or stakeholders frequently to make it less likely for them to churn.
4. Break silos of projects and increase collaboration.
5. Build projects around committed and actively working teams to achieve a goal.
6. Face-to-face communication, such as Zoom calls, is needed if working with a distributed team.
7. A final working software/product is the ultimate measure of success.
8. Agile processes promote sustainable development. Though some aspects can be fast-paced, the pace shouldn't be too fast to burn out team members.
9. If the team develops excellence in one sprint, they can continuously improve and move faster in the future.
10. A simple solution is best because Agile doesn't aim to overcomplicate things but finds simple answers to complex problems.
11. Self-organised and proactive teams become the most valuable assets to the company because they strive to deliver value.
12. Teams use regular intervals to improve efficiency through fine-tuning behaviour.
When to use agile project management?
Agile is particularly handy when your project requirements or end goals are somewhat fluid:
Scope likely to change: If you’re building an app and user feedback could shift priorities mid-project, an Agile approach helps.
Frequent stakeholder input: Agile suits a scenario where you have constant feedback loops from clients or users.
Multiple prototypes: Perfect for teams that need iterative versions—like mobile apps, web designs, or software updates.
Agile might be less ideal if your team or organisation is extremely rigid or if your client demands a final product in a single, unchanging specification by a fixed date. Trying to run an Agile process with a stakeholder who won’t adapt can lead to frustration for everyone.
Agile is particularly handy when your project requirements or end goals are somewhat fluid:
Scope likely to change: If you’re building an app and user feedback could shift priorities mid-project, an Agile approach helps.
Frequent stakeholder input: Agile suits a scenario where you have constant feedback loops from clients or users.
Multiple prototypes: Perfect for teams that need iterative versions—like mobile apps, web designs, or software updates.
Agile might be less ideal if your team or organisation is extremely rigid or if your client demands a final product in a single, unchanging specification by a fixed date. Trying to run an Agile process with a stakeholder who won’t adapt can lead to frustration for everyone.
What are popular agile project management methodologies?
Agile is an umbrella term for a wide variety of project management methodologies that share the principles we mentioned earlier. Each has its own areas of use and unique features. The most popular agile methodologies are mentioned below.
Scrum
Perhaps the most famous, Scrum, breaks down work into sprints (one or two weeks). You’ve got a Scrum Master removing blockers, daily stand-ups to share progress or issues, and a sprint backlog dictating tasks. Once a sprint ends, a sprint retrospective analyses what went right, what went wrong, and how to improve before the next cycle.
Kanban
Kanban is all about visual flow. Tasks (often on digital boards like Trello) move through columns indicating stages, from “To Do” to “In Progress” to “Done.” Kanban reveals bottlenecks at a glance—if too many tasks clog one column, you know where the problem lies.
Extreme Programming (XP)
This approach is popular in software emphasising regular communication, quick releases, simple design, and rigorous testing. “Paired programming”—two developers sharing one screen to bounce ideas—derives from XP, reflecting the principle of continuous collaboration.
Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
Imagine a non-linear approach shaped by three words: Speculate, Collaborate, and Learn. ASD aims to adapt instantly, running multiple stages in parallel. It’s flexible to the core, making it easier to pivot if big changes come mid-project.
Agile is an umbrella term for a wide variety of project management methodologies that share the principles we mentioned earlier. Each has its own areas of use and unique features. The most popular agile methodologies are mentioned below.
Scrum
Perhaps the most famous, Scrum, breaks down work into sprints (one or two weeks). You’ve got a Scrum Master removing blockers, daily stand-ups to share progress or issues, and a sprint backlog dictating tasks. Once a sprint ends, a sprint retrospective analyses what went right, what went wrong, and how to improve before the next cycle.
Kanban
Kanban is all about visual flow. Tasks (often on digital boards like Trello) move through columns indicating stages, from “To Do” to “In Progress” to “Done.” Kanban reveals bottlenecks at a glance—if too many tasks clog one column, you know where the problem lies.
Extreme Programming (XP)
This approach is popular in software emphasising regular communication, quick releases, simple design, and rigorous testing. “Paired programming”—two developers sharing one screen to bounce ideas—derives from XP, reflecting the principle of continuous collaboration.
Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
Imagine a non-linear approach shaped by three words: Speculate, Collaborate, and Learn. ASD aims to adapt instantly, running multiple stages in parallel. It’s flexible to the core, making it easier to pivot if big changes come mid-project.
Challenges of going agile
Despite its perks, Agile can stumble if:
Clients are unsure of goals: Continuous iteration demands frequent input. If a client or stakeholder doesn’t know what they want, you can circle aimlessly.
Teams lack experience: Agile is less formal but more dynamic, so novices might be overwhelmed by constant changes.
Rigidity in larger organisations: Big corporations with old-school procedures might resist Agile’s improvisational style.
Strict documentation requirements: If your project is heavily regulated (think government or healthcare), skipping formal doc steps can cause compliance issues.
Ensure your environment can truly accommodate iterative changes. If not, you may face friction instead of smooth progress.
Despite its perks, Agile can stumble if:
Clients are unsure of goals: Continuous iteration demands frequent input. If a client or stakeholder doesn’t know what they want, you can circle aimlessly.
Teams lack experience: Agile is less formal but more dynamic, so novices might be overwhelmed by constant changes.
Rigidity in larger organisations: Big corporations with old-school procedures might resist Agile’s improvisational style.
Strict documentation requirements: If your project is heavily regulated (think government or healthcare), skipping formal doc steps can cause compliance issues.
Ensure your environment can truly accommodate iterative changes. If not, you may face friction instead of smooth progress.
Why agile is worth considering
Agile is worth considering for a number of reasons. It helps you get products to market faster by releasing functional pieces early, gathering feedback, and refining along the way. This quick, iterative style also empowers teams to make decisions collectively, boosting their morale and sense of ownership.
On top of that, frequent check-ins with stakeholders keep everyone aligned, reducing unpleasant surprises and leading to happier customers. Meanwhile, incremental testing lowers the likelihood of a huge meltdown if something goes wrong—less “all eggs in one basket” and more steady improvements. It’s no surprise that bigger organisations like ING or Spotify juggle multiple Agile teams at once, rolling out features swiftly and adapting to user data almost in real-time.
Agile is worth considering for a number of reasons. It helps you get products to market faster by releasing functional pieces early, gathering feedback, and refining along the way. This quick, iterative style also empowers teams to make decisions collectively, boosting their morale and sense of ownership.
On top of that, frequent check-ins with stakeholders keep everyone aligned, reducing unpleasant surprises and leading to happier customers. Meanwhile, incremental testing lowers the likelihood of a huge meltdown if something goes wrong—less “all eggs in one basket” and more steady improvements. It’s no surprise that bigger organisations like ING or Spotify juggle multiple Agile teams at once, rolling out features swiftly and adapting to user data almost in real-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the values of agile project management?
The four core values of APM include prioritising:
People and interactions over tools and processes
Working product over detailed documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Response to change over following a plan
What are the 5 phases of Agile project management?
The five phases of APM are:
Envision (define goals and project scope)
Speculate (prioritise tasks and create user stories)
Explore (develop and test prototypes)
Adapt (review progress and make necessary adjustments)
Close (reflect on outcomes and prepare for the next iteration)
What is a real-world example of agile methodology?
The Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has applied agile project management throughout its production process. It has continuously improved its production line through regular reviews and feedback from employees to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Another great example is IBM, which created a cross-functional, self-selected team instead of management-assigned teams for employee empowerment.
Final Thoughts
Agile Project Management stands out because it prioritises progress over perfection, welcomes changes, and delivers value in smaller, digestible increments. While it originally emerged in software development, you can adapt it to a host of industries that require quick feedback and an evolving end product—especially in our digitally driven era.
Is Agile right for every project? Probably not. Some might still call for a more rigid framework if the deliverables and timeline are set in stone. However, for many teams, especially those dancing in a competitive or fast-changing environment, Agile’s iterative style can be a total lifesaver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the values of agile project management?
The four core values of APM include prioritising:
People and interactions over tools and processes
Working product over detailed documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Response to change over following a plan
What are the 5 phases of Agile project management?
The five phases of APM are:
Envision (define goals and project scope)
Speculate (prioritise tasks and create user stories)
Explore (develop and test prototypes)
Adapt (review progress and make necessary adjustments)
Close (reflect on outcomes and prepare for the next iteration)
What is a real-world example of agile methodology?
The Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has applied agile project management throughout its production process. It has continuously improved its production line through regular reviews and feedback from employees to improve quality, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Another great example is IBM, which created a cross-functional, self-selected team instead of management-assigned teams for employee empowerment.
Final Thoughts
Agile Project Management stands out because it prioritises progress over perfection, welcomes changes, and delivers value in smaller, digestible increments. While it originally emerged in software development, you can adapt it to a host of industries that require quick feedback and an evolving end product—especially in our digitally driven era.
Is Agile right for every project? Probably not. Some might still call for a more rigid framework if the deliverables and timeline are set in stone. However, for many teams, especially those dancing in a competitive or fast-changing environment, Agile’s iterative style can be a total lifesaver.
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work@for.co
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We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
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Click to copy
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Click to copy
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Copyright © 2024 FOR®
Work with us
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We’re remote-first — with strategic global hubs
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Click to copy
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Click to copy
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