The Agile project management revolution has affected planning more than anything else. Whereas project managers used to create a complex plan of the entire project and then hope to stick with the plan, today project management consists of iterations, or sprints, which adjust themselves to new project realities at each iteration. But that's not to say that planning has … [Read more...]
Since the beginning of civilization, sprinting has been one of man's most prominent pursuits. Being the fastest runner is an accomplishment worthy of praise and admiration. This ultimate form of achievement has many parallels to project management, where progress and pursuit of an end goal is a daily focus. The sprint is the basic building block of scrum, a … [Read more...]
In agile project management, the roadmap is the guiding document that provides the overall project plan. It is not equivalent to a traditional project schedule (gantt chart) because it is not a carved-in-stone plan whose precise execution is directly linked to project success. Because priorities change, the product roadmap is updated throughout the project, and this … [Read more...]
Sometimes you come across one of those very simple, yet amazingly effective tools that most people who have adopted it wonder how they ever did without. Today is one of those days. Kanban is a task scheduling method originally developed by the Toyota Production System in the 1960's to track inventory levels. Although it is being still used in some manufacturing … [Read more...]
The Agile methodology, while born from the crucible of software development, has transcended its origins, showing remarkable versatility across various sectors. Here's how industries beyond tech have adapted Agile principles to enhance their operations, product development, and even customer service: Manufacturing: Lean Meets Agile The manufacturing sector has learned … [Read more...]
Project managers wear many hats, but perhaps none is more crucial than being the catalyst for productivity. In an era where efficiency is king, understanding how to boost productivity isn't just beneficial; it's essential for project success. But it's more than that. It's about creating systems that are productive, that is, creating an organizational structure where … [Read more...]
In the scrum development framework (part of the Agile project management methodology) the scrum master is the servant leader for the scrum team. They are not the boss nor the project manager. Rather, they promote scrum practices and facilitate scrum meetings. They are the resident scrum expert within the team and attempt to maximize the productivity of the … [Read more...]
In project management, efficiency is everything. Projects that run like well oiled machines create high quality products and delighted stakeholders, especially the product owner. Fortunately, the Agile roles and responsibilities make it easy to create just such a project. But let's get some semantics out of the way first. Agile does not have roles as such. It is … [Read more...]
The 12 Agile Principles, which were developed at the same time as the Agile Manifesto, provide a little bit more detail from the Agile founders relating to vision and implementation of the Agile project management methodology. In the 12 Principles, the founders expand on the four points in the Manifesto and provide a more detailed working explanation. The Agile … [Read more...]
In the grand tapestry of human endeavor, project management has always been the thread that weaves chaos into order, the alchemy that turns plans into reality. As we stand at the threshold of 2040, let's embark on a speculative voyage to explore how this ancient art has evolved in the face of technological change, societal shifts, and the unquenchable human desire to … [Read more...]
