Agility markers in project management
Agility is a project management technique that is fundamentally manifested through the selection and implementation of a specific working method.
There are several methods such as Scrum (IT development projects), Lean (process improvement project) or Timeboxing (practice improvement projects).
These methods are based on very precise markers, perfectly described and documented to date:
- A customer-oriented scope based on the description of uses rather than needs (Uses cases)
- A standardized description of the use (User story), generally expressed in the format: ‘as a ...’, ‘I want to ...’, ‘so that ...’
- A customized animation centered on the customer, his ongoing presence, devoted resources, and a clearly recognized facilitator (Scrum master for Scrum management or Green or black belt animator for lean management)
- A collectively established assessment of priorities that can be based on certain 'tools' (Planning poker, T-shirt sizing, for example)
- Easy monitoring which is carried out through visual management tools (Kanban in particular)
- Specific indicators (Velocity and Burndown chart for example)
Agilists or Agile skepticals ?
As we all know, management strategies nearly always put "promoters" against "refractory" employees!
I would also like to introduce you to the Agilists, who are "absolute supporters of Agility," and the Agile skepticals, who are "refractories" (usually skeptic and promoters of other ways, such as the so-called "waterfall" project management approach, in cascade).
Where should the Agility cursor be placed?
The Agility markers cannot be challenged. They have always been used in project management, but "traditional" project management has shifted away from them.
These indicators have always been promoted as success factors by standards such as the PMBok (Project Management Body of Knowledges) from the PMI (Project Management Institute).
Agility has succeeded in simplifying and "marketing" them, no doubt!
It's a success, but opposing the two approaches isn't necessary. Just because it takes longer to understand and describe a 'V-cycle,' doesn't mean it's less effective than an 'Agile Sprint.'
The ability of your 'Management' to position the cursor between the two approaches and to clarify the interfaces between Agility and 'classic' project management, in short, 'Hybrid' project management, will make the difference.
- Shorter, better controlled projects
- Management based on ROI (return on investment)
- More sustained customer involvement
- Very clearly identified deliverables rather than ambitions
- More room for exchanges and collaborations than for formalism
- Whenever possible, a more visual and efficient management
Which project management software to choose?
Have you already incorporated Agility into your management system, or do you want to?
So you've already chosen a project management tool or are about to do so.
Indeed, there are +/- 400 tools of this type on the market!
The diagram below allows you to classify them into 4 main categories.
In theory, "COLLABORATIVES" are Agile, but they will prevent you from using a project portfolio management approach. The task and collaboration are at the heart of these tools, which make mastering the global approach impossible. Furthermore, given the importance of Microsoft Teams, which competes with them heavily, they are struggling to find their place today.
'INFORMATICS' are Agile by nature and vocation, but they will be of no use to you if you want to manage projects from the business lines and / or involve them concretely in their role as leader of the 'global' project, at a level that is independent of its impact on the information system. The "Ticket" is at the heart of these tools, which do not address the issue of transversality and instead promote a culture of means rather than goals.
The 'INTEGRATED' cannot be classified as 'Agile.' They provide functional coverage closer to process management, ERP, and CRM. In these tools, project management is a "process" that is linked to finances, resources, and production functions. We are departing from the Agility markers, if only to deploy them: several months and tens of thousands of euros / Project management with heavy change management!
THE "GOVERNANCES" are concerned with project portfolio management. They provide Agile management tools at the very least, and some even combine different management methods. The project is at the heart of these tools, which allow you to manage each project individually while also consolidating project data into tools for managing activity and making decisions. This is the case with IQar's PPM software, SuitePro-G!
SuitePro-G enables those who want to manage their deliverables in Agile mode, as well as others, to integrate this agility into a more structured and planned vision of the overall project.
SuitePro-G offers a pragmatic interface, which helps to disseminate and increase the maturity of your ‘projects mode, by providing all of the necessary functionalities for:
Align stakeholders with project ROI expectations (Scoring)
Set expectations and decide whether to manage projects in Agile or Planned mode.
Manage Sprints using all Agility markers, including the backlog, user cases, user stories, poker planning, velocity, burndown chart, and so on.
Make project management visual: Integrated MindMap, Knaban, Gantt
Manage project health reports with the business and integrate agility indicators
Create a cross-project management system and incorporate it into your collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams connector)
Make decisions taking into account the workload of employees, outside and inside of projects, budgets and risks
Drive the project using the roadmap mode
IQar Pure Project Player for over 15 years and publisher of the PPM solution SuitePro-G.
Today, more than 200 organizations in France trust IQar's tooled PPM platform and more specifically its SuitePro solution -Gto manage their projects, resources and portfolios.
SuitePro-G by IQar is collaborative PPM software designed for businesses looking for a simple, intuitive and connected solution.
Since its creation, < strong>SuitePro-Gattracts and offers companies the opportunity to develop and anchor a project culture.
" The successful company quickly chooses and carries out its best projects. "
Stéphanie Germain,
co-founder of IQar and Certified Professional Coach