In your professional career, you have probably already been in a situation where an almost completed, cross-team project suddenly takes a turn because the customer expresses new wishes. If this sounds familiar, agile project management could be the key to mastering such challenges more effectively.

In this article, we will look at the basic principles of agile project management. We’ll also show you how you can immediately enter the world of agile project management with tools such as monday.com.

What is agile project management (APM)?

Agile project management involves a flexible, iterative approach that spans the entire life cycle of a project. This approach is particularly popular in software development, as it ensures rapid customization and efficient project implementation.

The term “agile” covers various methods such as Scrum, Kanban and extreme programming. These methods enable teams to work on different aspects of a project in parallel. Continuous improvements and adjustments are made based on direct customer feedback and new findings.

Agile project management vs. the classic waterfall method

Agile project management differs fundamentally from traditional approaches such as the waterfall method. Here are some key differences:

Agile project management

• follows an iterative approach, where work is divided into cycles or sprints
• The focus is on cooperation, communication and flexibility
• Constantly adapts to new requirements during project execution
• Requires the active involvement of the customer, client or product owner

The five phases of agile project management

1. Planning

In this phase, the teams are set up first and the needs of the stakeholders are recorded. This input is used to develop a vision for a product or service.

2. Conception

In the second phase, the project team draws up a list of all the requirements for the end product and defines the key milestones in a roadmap.

3. Exploration

In this phase, we test and try things out. When working on the project, care is taken to ensure that the project specifications are adhered to, but the teams also investigate alternatives to fulfill the project requirements. The teams work on individual milestones and iterate before moving on to the next milestone.

4. Test

The teams review the results achieved and make adjustments where necessary. In this phase, the focus is on modifications or improvements based on feedback from customers and employees. It is important to continuously collect feedback to ensure that all aspects of the project meet the needs of the users. The project should be progressively optimized with each repetition.

5. Final Phase

In the final phase of agile project management, the focus is on reviewing and adapting the product or service. Teams evaluate the results achieved and make necessary modifications to ensure that the project meets the updated requirements. In addition, special emphasis is placed on carefully analyzing any errors or problems that occur. This reflection serves to avoid similar difficulties in future projects and to ensure continuous improvement of the process.

Waterfall project management

• Follows a linear approach, whereby the work is divided into different phases
• The focus is on planning, documentation and compliance with a predefined process
• Prioritizes the delivery of a fully completed project with project completion
• Enables conditional involvement of the customer in the development process

When is agile project management (APM) suitable?

Agile project management, originally based in software development, enables teams to improve performance monitoring through regular sprint reviews and so-called scrum sessions, which represents a clear advantage over traditional methods.
This method is not only limited to software projects, but can also be successfully applied in other areas that require a certain degree of flexibility. In today’s world, organizations of all kinds use agile systems to effectively manage their tasks and track progress, even when it doesn’t involve creating physical products.

Agile approaches accelerate the work process, enabling a faster time-to-market while adapting to market dynamics.

Ideal scenarios for the use of agile project management (APM):

• When project requirements are constantly changing and difficult to predict.
• For complex projects that require a large number of iterations.
• In situations where regular feedback from stakeholders or customers is important.
• In projects that are associated with high risk or great uncertainty.
• In the case of ventures that aim to create added value.

Core principles of agile project management

The agile manifesto defines twelve key guiding principles that underpin the philosophy of agile project management:

2. Openness to change

Embrace change, even at advanced stages of development, to give your products and services an advantage in the marketplace;

4. Bring together specialist knowledge

Bring subject matter experts together to avoid discrepancies and ensure better alignment with the needs of your target audience.

6. Seek conversations in private

Regular feedback is the be-all and end-all of agile project management.

8. Promote sustainable development

Focus on continuous and long-term progress instead of short-term successes.

10. Simplicity and efficiency

Focus on the development of a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) to use time and resources efficiently.

12. Regular reflection and review

Without evaluating your workflows, you won’t be able to learn anything or make any progress.

What are the advantages of agile project management (APM)?

Agile project management is ideal if you are striving for the following goals:

Agile project management with monday.com in five steps

monday.com offers a comprehensive, automated platform with customizable templates for agile workflows. Here are five core functions to optimize your agile project management:

1. Diverse data integration: With over 72 integrations, monday.com enables the connection of different departments and tools, such as Zendesk and Jira, to facilitate teamwork.

2. Dynamic product roadmap templates: Create and manage product roadmaps in real time that automatically provide updates on project progress.

3. Guest access for stakeholders: Provide stakeholders such as VIP customers or project sponsors with specific access rights to facilitate collaboration, supported by remote communication integrations.

4. Custom sprint planning: Use digital boards for a clear representation of your sprints and iterations, complete with color-coded statuses and responsibilities.

5. Synchronized real-time dashboards: Combine information from different sources on customized dashboards to get a comprehensive overview of projects.

Is agile project management right for you and your project team?

You are probably now thinking about whether and how agile project management could increase the transparency and productivity of your team. Then just give it a try. A good way to get started and ensure a smooth implementation is to set up these processes with monday.com.

Start creating your agile project management plan in the free trial version of monday.com.

Conclusion

Agile project management is a flexible and iterative approach that is particularly suitable for projects whose requirements can change quickly. Its focus on customer satisfaction, team collaboration and the ability to adapt quickly to new circumstances sets it apart from the traditional, sequential waterfall model; Agile methods such as Scrum and Kanban allow teams to work in short cycles, continuously gather feedback and improve products step by step. This approach is particularly suitable for complex projects with unclear requirements or a high need for change. Tools such as monday.com support the implementation of agile principles through functions for planning, collaboration and monitoring project progress.

If you have any questions or if we can help you with the implementation of monday.com, please contact us for a free initial consultation.