This week, we caught up with Steve Bowman to find out more about Agile and how he uses the method in his everyday life.
Can you tell us a little bit more about Agile?
Agile is a method of delivering projects that is often contrasted with more traditional 'waterfall project management' since it emphasises responding to change, collaborating with clients, breaking down work into manageable chunks and frequently delivering a working product for feedback.
Waterfall project management
It is often associated with software development, but it can apply to all types of project management. It’s used in many different industries, in fact.
There are lots of implementations of Agile. For example, Scrum and Kanban. But, they all follow the four core Agile principles:
1) Individuals and interactions take priority over processes and tools.
2) Working software takes priority over comprehensive documentation.
3) Customer collaboration takes priority over contract negotiation.
4) Responding to change takes priority over following a plan.
We call this the Agile Manifesto.
Agile process
So, what are the benefits of using Agile?
You are more likely to deliver a successful project using Agile than traditional methods.
Agile is all about adapting to change and using it to your advantage to deliver a better product. It ensures clients get what they want, on time and within budget, with far fewer defects than you may have had in the past.
What tips would you give to someone who wanted to start implementing Agile?
I’d say, have a look at the Agile Manifesto [http://agilemanifesto.org/] and Scrum Alliance [https://www.scrumalliance.org/].
Also, get advice from someone who has experience of Agile, to help think about how it would work best for your organisation. You could also run a practical training session, which I can help you with - so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Can you give us an example of when you have used Agile?
I use Agile for every project that I work on, with all sorts of different clients and industries. One example is the mobile app that we recently filed a pattern for - it was created by an Agile team, comprised of four C4Di companies in different locations.
I always find that Agile massively increases the chance of delivering what the client wants, as well as completing it on time and within budget.
I actually use Agile for all personal projects and running my life in general!
Credit for image https://manifesto.co.uk/agile-vs-waterfall-comparing-project-management-methodologies/.
To talk Agile with Steve, get in touch with him via steve@stevebowman.net.