The pandemic has brought about big shifts in the working dynamic in many organizations. Needless to say, with the increase in the number of employees working from home, demands, requirements, and processes need to be changed as well. Does Agile work in this environment as well? The answer, surprisingly, is yes.
A recent survey conducted during the pandemic has observed that 43% of organizations that participated have increased their dependency on Agile processes for their company’s operations, especially when it comes to the software development sector.
This is surprising because the Agile method is focused greatly on collaboration and face-to-face interactions, which is not possible for teams since all team members are working from their individual homes. Certainly, Agile methods must have some positive influence on the work environment in the time of COVID-19 as well, otherwise, organizations would not be relying on the methodology. So, what is the state of Agile Project Management in 2020?
The Reason Agile Methodology Rose to Popularity
Agile methods were created to assist with software development back in 2001. Agile is a methodology that breaks down the software development process into short, workable iterations. This is done to increase the speed of delivery and create a working environment that operates on an incremental basis. These are some of the reasons why Agile grew so popular in such a short period of time.
The traditional waterfall method was proving to be too restrictive, especially with the changing market trends. With new technology coming in regularly, the products that were seemingly relevant three months ago could be considered redundant today. So, the strategies of product development needed to be fluid and flexible. Agile methods provided the perfect base for developing software in a flexible manner, thereby increasing its importance in the tech industry even more.
Over time, Agile was embraced by more than just the IT industry. Its benefits were observed by departments across organizations, and Agile methods began to get implemented in project management over many sectors.
These benefits have proven to be extremely impactful and beneficial for companies in the wake of COVID-19 as well. The article states some of the reasons why the usage of Agile increased in this pandemic.
The Rise of Agile Methods in Project Management During COVID 19
Agile Gives Teams a Proper Structure to Work With
Agile teams are highly organized and self-sustaining because the Agile methodology creates a fixed process and rhythm in which the team operates. This structure has proven to be beneficial in uncertain times. The regularity of daily meetings, constant communication, and collaboration within the team plays a big factor in creating a sense of normalcy in times of a pandemic such as COVID-19.
Agile Teams are Trained to Adapt to Any Scenario
When all team members have understood and implemented the Agile philosophy successfully, they are already prepared for any changes in the market. COVID-19 is a very uncertain time for everybody. Organizations cannot predict what will happen in the next week, much less the next few months. This means they need to have teams that are prepared for any and all scenarios.
This is where Agile comes into play. Since Agile teams work in iterations and feedback based on the market, they are always capable of working based on the changes around them. By breaking down work into smaller, more manageable tasks, teams open themselves up to the opportunity to make any changes or improvements in their product whenever necessary.
This is the most prepared any team can be with regard to unexpected changes or disruptions in the future. Risk management is also a big part of the Agile philosophy. This means that Agile teams are trained to recognize, manage, mitigate, and adapt to any risks that may be realized. The Agile approach is more ready to manage risks and handle any unexpected scenarios.
Agile Empowers Team Members to Work On Their Own
Team members are self-sufficient once they are trained in the principles of Agile. This means they take account of their actions and ensure their tasks are on time. There is ownership of their tasks, which means Agile team members have full authority over what they do and they do not need to get everything approved by their superiors.
This is a very important benefit of Agile teams in times of COVID-19 because the manager, Product Owner, or Scrum Master may not be available at all times. Since each employee in an organization is working from home, having full ownership of their tasks can help in speeding up the project completion process. The team members are all empowered to work on their own and complete their tasks by the assigned deadline.
Agile Methods Build Resilience in Team Members
The Agile mindset is not easy to create. The entire team has to go through a thorough unlearning process when they are learning to be Agile before they can learn how to implement Agile methods into their work. This can be changing the regular work practices that teams have been conducting for years, and this requires a significant amount of strength and resilience.
In times like these, strength and resilience is the desired quality to have. The uncertainty and lack of a steady work environment can get to people. To be able to push through and succeed in completing tasks in a successful and timely manner can get difficult for anyone. Employees who are trained in Agile methods have higher resilience in adapting to the changing environment without letting it affect them greatly.
Agile is Focused on Prioritization of Workload
Prioritization of work based on the level of importance is necessary to achieve desirable results. This is a trait that all Agile employees learn when implementing Agile into their processes. This helps in avoiding unnecessary confusion and gives teams a sense of clarity and purpose to their tasks.
When one is working day in and day out from their home, it is possible to lose focus and forget the main priorities of the project. There are chances of various distractions rising up within the project without having a working environment to be surrounded in, and this can lead developers into a hole. Once they are trained in Agile, team members know how to prioritize their tasks and work on them accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Nobody knows when the COVID 19 pandemic will end and when companies can go back to operating at regular capacity. This means that most organizations will have to continue to work remotely in the near future. The employees will have to continue to stay driven and productive towards achieving their business objectives, and Agile can help with this.
When implemented correctly, Agile can work wonders for projects and employees alike, even when they are working remotely. This requires them to be properly trained and certified in Agile methods. Agile is a productive and working model that companies can adopt to create a more stable work environment for their organization during uncertain times.
Some of the popular Agile Certification Courses that individuals can take up are:
- CSM Online Training
- CSPO Certification Training
- SAFe Scrum Master Certification Training
- Agile Scrum Foundation Certification Training
- Agile Scrum Master Certification Training
- PRINCE2 Agile Foundation Certification Training
