Agile management

Set up agile management approach to continuously monitor and evolve the service.

An alternative to the traditional project management

An agile approach represents a way to transform the traditional program approach to better support programs leveraging agile methodologies

Tracking

Project approach
  • Red, amber, green reports

  • Gantt charts

  • Status of work compared to plan

Agile approach
  • Burndown charts

  • Story points per sprint/ velocity measurements

  • Delivery of working service

Coordination

Project approach
  • Matrixed hierarchy of managed projects

  • Centralised communication among team story points per sprint

  • Consistency from the top down

Agile approach
  • Flat structure with self-organising teams

  • Direct cross- project collaboration

  • Continuous experimentation and innovation

Prioritisaiton

Project approach
  • Detailed specifications/ requirements

  • Value tracked in a detailed, long-term roadmap

  • Fixed schedule and prioritisation

Agile approach
  • Development of a high- level backlog

  • Value delivery forecast in a conceptual roadmap

  • Frequent re-evaluation of needs

Governance

Project approach
  • Documentation driven

  • Approval required at each phase gate

  • Regular cadence-driven

Agile approach
  • Value-driven

  • Infrequent intervention

  • Flexible and adaptable to meet team needs

What to keep in mind

It is helpful to have in mind the typical agile obstacles and anticipate them before starting an agile project:

Organizational culture

Bureaucratic, rule bound and siloed

  • Education, training and mentoring.

  • Show success on one small pilot project.

Adoption

Resistance to change

Communicate purpose and processes clearly.

Upskill employees in new technologies and processes.

Governance

Lack of consensus and transparency

  • Get everyone on the same page.

  • Create a culture of open sharing.

Senior leadership access

Lack of access to authority to get vital input

  • Create access to key stakeholders.

  • Establish a senior steering committee to gather critical leaders.

Decision making-authority

Hierarchical frameworks that hinder execution

  • Empower PO to make most decisions.

  • Develop a well-defined escalation procedure to quickly resolve complex inquiries.

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