by Jason Gardner (ed.)
How do agile projects get initiated?
If you’re a professional considering an agile project for your business, you know the importance of starting off on the right foot. Agile involves many moving parts – from ensuring stable teams to communicating with stakeholders effectively – but getting it kicked off correctly is key to a successful outcome. In this blog post, we’ll dive into how agile projects should be initiated – exploring best practices and strategies so that yours is set up for success from day one!
Understand the Agile Manifesto Value and Principles, and how they are used to manage projects
Agile methodology has become increasingly popular in project management in recent years, with its flexible approach allowing teams to quickly adapt to changes in a project’s scope. At the heart of agile methodology is the Agile Manifesto, a set of guiding values designed to promote collaboration, responsiveness, and continuous improvement. By embracing these principles, project teams can stay focused on delivering high-quality results while also keeping the needs of stakeholders at the forefront. Whether you’re implementing agile methodology for the first time or looking to refine your existing processes, understanding the Agile Manifesto Principles can provide a roadmap for success in today’s fast-paced business world.
Identify the Core Values of Agility and make sure they are understood by all stakeholders
Agility can be a differentiator for a successful organization, allowing for quick adaptation to market changes and efficient use of capacity. However, to truly embrace agility, the core values that underpin it must be well understood by all team members and stakeholders. These values, such as transparency, collaboration, experimentation, and continuous improvement, work together to create an environment where change is not only accepted, but welcomed as an opportunity for growth. Moreover, by ensuring that all stakeholders, from executives to team members, are aligned in their understanding of these values, the organization can move forward with confidence, secure in the knowledge that everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Determine the purpose of the project, objectives, and target timeline
When embarking on a project, it’s important to have a clear understanding of its purpose, objectives, and target timeline. These elements are the foundation upon which the entire project will be built. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the exact time of completion cannot always be guaranteed at the start. There are often unforeseen factors that can impact the timeline, such as unexpected setbacks or changes in scope. Despite this, determining the purpose, objectives, and target timeline at the outset of the project is essential for keeping things on track and ensuring successful completion. Realize that a target timeline is not the same as a forecast. The target timeline is when the organization would like to deliver, the forecast is when the demonstrated data says we are likely to deliver. These often don’t match. Avoid the temptation to simply say that the target is the estimate. When an organization is honest with what the forecast actually is, they can then make real world decisions that will impact the forecast, such as lowering scope, extending the target date, or adding more teams to the project. With a clear understanding of these key factors, project teams can work together more efficiently and effectively to achieve their goals.
Develop a stable, cross-functional team structure with a clear vision for the project
A key component to success is having a stable team, where team members are dedicated to the team and not to other teams. This stability allows the team to learn how to work better together, and to measure their velocity to enable good forecasting.
The team should be cross-functional, meaning that all the skills needed to deliver the project can be found on the team. External dependencies will introduce wait times to the project.
Additionally, having a clear product vision ensures that everyone is working towards the same goal and helps to filter out less important tasks. This will help the team work more efficiently and effectively towards a common goal. A well-structured team can lead to a successful project outcome.
Create an initial product backlog so that tasks can be tracked throughout the project
Every successful project starts with a plan, and that’s where the initial product backlog comes in. It’s like a to-do list for your project, where all known needs and wants are in one place and prioritized. With this tool, you can track tasks, prioritize them, and make sure everything is moving in the right direction. The product backlog makes sure that all items are visible, and along with a stable team forms the basis for effective forecasting. It also helps to guide conversations when there are conflicting ideas on priorities. Whether you’re working on a software development project or launching a new marketing campaign, having a product backlog in place will help you stay organized and on track.
Have a kick-off meeting with everyone involved in the project to set expectations
A successful project isn’t just about meeting deadlines and goals; it’s also about ensuring that everyone is on the same page from the beginning. That’s why it’s important to have a kick-off meeting with everyone involved in the project.
During this meeting, clear expectations can be set for what is expected from leadership and sponsors. The vision is also clearly communicated – everyone should understand the reason this project exists, the benefits to customers, and measures of success. This creates a shared vision of the project’s objectives and reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings and miscommunication down the line. With everyone on the same page, the project can get off to a strong start and set itself up for success.
Begin planning sprints and breaking down tasks into manageable chunks
Planning sprints and breaking down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks is essential for any successful project. By doing so, team members can stay on track and ensure that they are making progress every step of the way. One of the biggest benefits of this approach is the opportunity for quick feedback loops, enabling you to measure and adjust progress along the way. When tasks are broken down into concise measurements, you can quickly evaluate progress and identify any potential roadblocks. This incremental approach puts you in control of your project and helps ensure a successful outcome. So if you haven’t already, start planning sprints and breaking down tasks today!
Establish communication protocols to keep everyone on track with progress updates
Communication is key in any successful project, which is why establishing clear communication protocols is crucial. The sprint review is a time for stakeholders to see the progress that has been made and give feedback on product direction. The team will also hold a daily scrum meeting, limited to 15 minutes, where they will make a plan for the day and communicate any impediments.
Avoid any meetings that are just about communicating status. Status should be communicated in a manner that is as lightweight as possible, such as automated dashboards or sprint boards. By using effective communication protocols, teams can accomplish their goals in a timely and efficient manner.
Monitor progress regularly to ensure projects are being completed on time and within budget
Ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget is crucial to the success of any business. One effective way to achieve this is by monitoring progress regularly. This helps identify areas where the project might be falling behind schedule or exceeding the budget. For example, using a Team Task Board or Kanban Board that clearly show the tasks that need to be done, are in progress, or are completed. Through consistent monitoring, teams can address issues immediately, mitigate risks, and adjust their strategies to ensure they stay on track. Note, however, that encouraging people to “just go faster” is not a way to mitigate risks or improve. Regular progress reviews not only improve project outcomes but also foster collaboration among team members and allow for better communication. By staying updated on progress, businesses can optimize resource allocation, reduce wasted time and money, and ultimately deliver high-quality work.
Celebrate successes along the way to keep morale high
When we set our sights on a goal, it’s easy to get caught up in the final destination and forget to enjoy the journey. But taking the time to celebrate our successes along the way, can do wonders for keeping morale high. Whether it’s a team-wide acknowledgment of a major milestone or just a small personal victory, taking even a moment to recognize and appreciate the progress we’ve made can reignite our motivation and drive. By highlighting the positive moments, we remind ourselves of why we started in the first place and provide ourselves with the energy we need to keep pushing forward. So don’t forget to celebrate the wins, no matter how small, and keep that positive momentum going!
Agile project management is a great way to deliver projects in a reliable and efficient way. Keeping your project on track and focused requires an understanding of the agile principles and core values. By empowering your team, setting clear objectives and expectations, and monitoring progress regularly, you can increase the success of your project. As you embark upon your agile journey, remember to stay true to the manifesto principles, be open-minded about changes that may arise along the way, and celebrate successes. If you need help getting started or have questions during any part of the project cycle, don’t worry! Our team at Platinum Edge is here to help. Contact us today for more information—we’d love to work with you!
