In today’s dynamic business landscape, agile methodologies have emerged as a popular choice for project delivery. At Avec, while we recognise the benefits of an agile approach, we also understand the importance of selecting the right approach for the project’s unique needs and goals, as well as the potential pitfalls that can arise when an agile methodology is misinterpreted or misapplied.

Dennis Grant, Managing Director of Avec shares his insights on how Agile can be abused or become a shield to hide mediocre performance. Here are his top five observations on agile methodology in project management.

1. Fit for purpose methodologies

It is crucial to understand that not all projects are best suited for Agile. Some programs and projects may run more efficiently using waterfall or hybrid models. The key is to select the methodology that best fits the specific needs and goals of the project.

2. Misconceptions about agile practices

Simply having a daily standup and running a kanban board does not equate to being agile. These practices are just tools and should not be mistaken for entirety of agile methodology. True agile implementation requires a deeper understanding and commitment to its principles.

3. Planning and governance

One of the common pitfalls of agile is the tendency to neglect planning and governance. At Avec, we address this in our methodologies by making planning and governance a priority. Government organisations in particular should be wary of the hype around Agile and ensure that effective planning and fit for purpose governance are in place.

4. Maintaining organisational benefits

While Agile promotes self-managed teams and creating one’s own velocity, it is important to maintain organisational benefits such as effective portfolio planning, prioritisation, and organisational velocity. We advise our clients to strike a balance between agile practices and these essential organisational benefits.

5. The importance of estimation

The concept of #NoEstimation suggests that estimation is wasteful and becomes outdated quickly. However, this if often misinterpreted to mean that no estimation is required on an Agile project. Here at Avec, we believe that effective estimation is crucial at the portfolio, program, and project levels. It does not need to be a time-consuming process. There are excellent parametric estimation models that rely on historical delivery data and perform complex calculations to inform more accurate business cases and portfolios. These models can provide valuable insights without spending excessive time or outdated business cases. Avoiding estimation because it is deemed too difficult or it might expose mediocre delivery is not a viable approach.

So, where do we come in?

While agile methodologies offer numerous benefits, it is essential to recognise that they are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Reach out to the Avec team today to leverage our expertise in Agile and other project management approaches and optimise the delivery of your projects with the right methodology.