The Pros and Cons of Agile Project Management

Agile project management is making waves around the world with tech companies for its innovative approach to project management. While it is most popular with software development firms and other kinds of tech companies. Agile project management is making a big impression on all kinds of businesses. Before adopting this style of management for your tech company. You should be aware of the pros and cons of agile so you can make an informed decision.

Pros of Agile Project Management

1. You’re Already Doing Some Aspects Of APM

Tech companies already utilize project management skills that are transferable when switching to APM. One complaint about adopting this style is learning an entirely new and overwhelming system. People are surprised to learn that it’s not such a far stretch, many of your skills make transitioning minimally stressful. These skills include things like coordinating with everyone on your team to release more frequent product updates and content.

2. Specific Team Member Characteristics

With an outline of the characteristics you expect from team members, each employee has specific expectations. You have the flexibility to draft your own expectations for team members but in general. These look like an interdisciplinary mindset, entrepreneurial, adaptable, and working well with others. People who have interdisciplinary work experience and education develop richer content with nuance and can create truly groundbreaking work.

3. Planning With Flexibility

Agile is in the title for a reason. One of the core foundations of agile project management is the team’s ability to be flexible with project planning. During the course of development, problems arise, consumer demands change and expectations change. Technology itself may change and require updates to the software and project plan. Tech companies that can’t adapt to the natural changes that pop up often fail.

4. Creativity In The Development Process

In agile application development, mapping out all of the features that can be imagined is a great way to create a foundation for the app. Team members can work together to list all of the possibilities. This would even include things that aren’t likely to be implemented, but they get the creative juices and problem-solving skills activated.

As long as employees know what is most important to work on, there’s no harm in coming up with an all-inclusive list. Don’t worry about having too much on the list. Sprints and planned releases will allow you to direct team members in chunks instead of all at once. Features are released or rolled back at the end of each sprint, and you revisit planning as necessary.

Cons of Agile Project Management

1. Daily Meetings

People often complain about daily meetings, and it can be tedious to keep up. While your team may bemoan this at first, the goal is for everyone to come to appreciate regularly communicating as a group so that problems can be addressed more efficiently.

2. More Time Commitment

Agile application development does require more time commitments. People who are already busy and feel overburdened with time spent at work may resist what seems like more work. Collaborations across teams are the best way to ensure that no one is overworked, but sometimes it’s unavoidable in the fast-paced industry of application development.

3. Teams Will Need Skilled Software Developers

Skilled software developers are absolutely necessary to take on agile application development. This means that there’s less room for fresh-out-of-college developers with little experience. Companies have to make the decision about what they’re looking for in candidates. You may want to consider the experience the candidate has as well as the well-roundness of their education. Of course, the benefit of the doubt should be given to developers who can demonstrate skill beyond something like years of experience. New coders may have completed projects on their own, for fun or have had other experiences that equip them for the work your team needs.

4. Combining Methodologies Is Always An Option

APM will not be a perfect match for every company, but consider its ability to be combined with other project management styles, and how it can be customized for your company’s needs. When you’re willing to think outside the box, you can find a way to reap all of the positive rewards from APM.