Agile Project Management

Agile Project Management Frequently Asked Questions

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Benefits of Agile Project Management (PDF)

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What is Agile Project Management?

Agile Project Management is based on DSDM®Atern®, an agile approach that was originally launched in 1995.  Agile refers to a style of working that emphasises flexibility, close customer engagement throughout the project lifecycle, continually ensuring the product meets the business need, and making decisions regarding detail as late as possible.  Agile Project Management is one of a number of Agile approaches.  “Lightweight” Agile approaches are appropriate for simple projects in simple environments.  Projects and environments of higher complexity require a more comprehensive Agile approach such as Agile Project Management.

 

What are the benefits of Agile Project Management?

Agile Project Management enables projects to have:

  • Increased consistency in delivering viable solutions on time and on budget
  • Improved likelihood of successfully meeting the users’ real business requirements
  • Greater buy-in from users of the solution
  • Greatly reduced risk of creating the wrong solution

Agile Project Management strongly complements PRINCE2® and other more formalised project management approaches.

 

Isn’t Agile Project Management designed solely for large software engineering projects?

No, Agile Project Management has been developed to meet the needs of all business change projects and programmes.

 

How is Agile Project Management implemented?

It is essential that senior management understanding and support of an agile approach is in place before work commences. Senior business management must ensure appropriate involvement of appropriate business representatives. The Solution Development Team must be appropriately skilled, empowered, and stable and have access to relevant business roles. The organisation must accept that solutions will be delivered incrementally. Any commercial customer/supplier relationships must be compatible with an agile approach.

 

Where can I get more information?

The official DSDM website contains further information and you will also find information on Agile Project Management and other Best Practice products at the official APMG website.