Agile Project Manager

Did you know that the Agile framework was created in the 1990s? This was in response to the rigid, traditional approach favored by project management. It was only in 2001 that the Agile approach was codified with the Manifesto for Agile Software Development.

Since then, the Agile framework has garnered much attention because it offers a flexible methodology. This involves cross-functional and self-organizing teams that work with the product’s end-users. The best part about Agile is that it is always open to changes, iterative, and adaptive with ample room for improvement. 

So, what should you have to become a successful Agile project manager? This is what we will discuss in detail below.

Defining Agile Project Manager

An Agile project manager operates an entire Agile team. These professionals have excellent knowledge of Agile values and practices. They also have a strong background in managing projects in a way that aligns with Agile principles and practices.

Agile project managers also handle the entire project lifecycle. It includes

• Defining project scope,
• Identifying potential risks,
• Keeping track of successfully delivered projects.

An Agile PM further engages in regular discussions to get external and internal feedback. This allows them to remain updated with the changing business and client needs. That is why they can guide their teams to adapt and respond to all specific needs.

Essential Skills for a Successful Agile Project Manager

The software industry is now adopting an Agile environment. It assists the companies in better collaboration and effective delivery of projects. Hence, an Agile Project Manager can fulfill the responsibilities on time if they possess some efficient qualities as mentioned below:

• Communication

Each sprint in Scrum requires proper communication by the respective manager and the team. So, a regular stand-up meeting is held by the Agile Project Manager. Communication is the core skill in Agile project management that helps resolve or prevent issues. The Agile framework also updates the work regularly because requirements can change frequently during the sprint.

• Adaptability

Planning a project is important, but how you can specifically adapt to the changing environment is challenging. Agile Project Managers must know how to adapt and manage changes with time. This must be as per the requirements that change with each sprint submitted.

• Organization

Prioritizing and scheduling the tasks will help manage all the common goals. Agile management should know how to achieve the desired outcome in a challenging environment. This is to ensure that the sprint processes are working properly and organized smoothly.

• Problem-solving:

Dealing with problems without any hassle must be an essential skill of every Agile project manager. Every project comes with several problems because of improper planning or execution. The responsibility of a certified Agile Project Manager is to take action against these problems and give an appropriate solution on time. 

• Risk Management

It is an important process during which you must identify and analyze the risk. Later, you can respond to the factors that cause risk throughout the lifecycle of a specific project. A professional should learn and educate risk management to become a successful Agile Project Manager. 

The Responsibilities of an Agile Project Manager

An Agile Project Manager has several essential responsibilities to fulfill as mentioned below:

• Helping the team achieve high-performance levels and quality
• Holding respective teams accountable for their work and mentoring the less experienced ones
• Defining the schedule and scope of a particular project while balancing it with regular value deliveries
• Organizing, preparing, and leading working and project status meetings
• Delivering several Agile projects to offer outstanding business value to the users
• Supporting the respective product owner in managing communications with stakeholders
• Managing customer’s expectations for different deliverables
• Implementing an efficient and effective project governance system
• Promoting team empowerment through different team-building techniques so that each member makes a meaningful contribution to the project

How to Become an Agile Project Manager?

You should possess the following qualities to become a certified Agile project manager:

• Exceptional organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks
• The ability to thrive well under extreme pressure
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with others
• Critical thinking capabilities and changing priorities flexibly

An Agile project manager must also embrace the four values listed in the official Agile Manifesto:

• Individuals and interactions over other respective processes and tools
• Working software over documentation
• Customer collaboration over contract negotiation processes
• Responding to any particular change over following a plan

Frameworks in Agile Project Management

Several factors influence a particular company’s ability to scale Agile. This includes analyzing their cultural, work management, and technology shifts to adopt Agile at scale. That is why enterprise Agile frameworks have risen in popularity like the ones mentioned below:

• SAFe®

This acronym stands for: Scaled Agile Framework ®. This Agile framework is designed to guide enterprises in scaling Agile practices that go beyond individual teams. SAFe also borrows concepts from several team-level Agile approaches.

• Disciplined Agile

This Agile framework supplies lightweight guidance to help different teams practice Agile at scale. DA further emphasizes a “people-first” approach to Agile and acts as a hybrid of XP, Scrum, and other Agile frameworks.

• Large Scale Scrum

LeSS uses the basics of Scrum to apply to multiple teams. It works best with involved teams that work toward the same product. It also applies to teams who stay within the same value stream but is not the correct Agile framework for an organization that wants to scale across the required portfolio.

• Nexus

It is designed to sustain several product delivery initiatives at scale. The Agile framework further emphasizes minimizing and managing dependencies between different Scrum teams to achieve agility.

• Spotify Model

It is a people-driven and autonomous approach to scaling Agile. The engineers have documented their approach to scaling Agile, and shared it with the world. Hence, many organizations have aimed to emulate it for a long time.

Challenges Faced by Agile Project Managers

Agile project management is not an easy process. It needs meticulous planning and guidance on the part of the Agile Project Managers who face several challenges in this path:

• Insufficient Planning

Many leaders believe that knowing the cost of a particular project until after it is completed is insufficient. It also applies to the situation where the team indulges in completing the next item without a strategy. Project managers must acquire a more Agile attitude and comprehend plans as per each project. 

• Changing Requirements

Changes may occasionally be made to a product's specs or requirements. Such modifications are handled most of the time. Yet, they are postponed until the next sprint if they show up in the end. Hence, such changes constitute a burden on the developers and testers.

• Lack of Management Support

Poor managerial support is the reason why the Agile framework does not succeed in every situation. All executives, middle managers, and senior managers must know that project management methodologies will change at times to transition to Agile efficiently.

• Continuous Testing

Testers are often expected to begin developing tests for features. This process is either before development or in the middle of it. However, such a requirement poses a significant difficulty. Testers, developers, and product owners should determine the specifics of each story before creating effective acceptance criteria.

• Lack of Team Ownership

Most Agile project managers and teams face a major barrier to the advancement of several Agile transformations and scaling. This is what prevents them from implementing Agile techniques. Agile combats this particular culture by encouraging team members across organizations to own their work and give up relying on what others ask them to do. 

Resources and Methods for Agile Project Managers

Agile project management emphasizes flexibility and customer satisfaction. Here are some resources and methods that can be valuable for all certified Agile project managers:

• Resources

  • Agile Manifesto: The foundational principles of Agile development.
  • Agile Principles: The guiding principles that support the Agile Manifesto.
  • The Scrum Guide: Essential reading for understanding Scrum, a popular Agile framework.
  • Agile Alliance: A non-profit organization supporting Agile practitioners. It provides resources, conferences, and a community for Agile professionals.
  • PMI Agile Practice Guide: This guide is published by the Project Management Institute and offers insights into applying Agile practices within project management.

Methods

• Scrum: An Agile framework that divides projects into time-boxed iterations called Sprints. It includes roles such as Scrum Master and Product Owner. 
• Kanban: A visual management method that helps manage workflow efficiently. It focuses on continuous delivery and encourages teams to pull work as capacity allows.
• Extreme Programming (XP): An Agile methodology that aims to improve software quality and responsiveness to changing customer requirements. It includes practices such as pair programming, continuous integration, and test-driven development.
• Lean Agile: Combines principles from Lean thinking and Agile methodologies. It focuses on minimizing waste, maximizing value, and fostering continuous improvement.

:  Agile Manifesto: 12 Principles and 4 Values

Future Trends in Agile Project Management

Agile methodologies will continue to be standardized in 2023 and beyond. This usually happens with the Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe frameworks that lead the pack in widespread applications across various Agile projects. Agile leadership and culture also remain in the limelight. It involves companies and industries emphasizing empowering teams. This helps them operate autonomously and foster an environment that encourages continuous improvement.

• Remote Work

Working from home and collaborating virtually has become the new normal post the COVID-19 pandemic. Agile methodologies have also adapted well to this change. That is why we have witnessed an increased use of remote collaboration tools. This includes Slack, Trello, and Jira which are used across Agile environments. 

• AI and Automation

AI is making significant inroads in Agile project management and decision-making in 2023 and beyond. AI algorithms can also predict project trajectories and identify potential bottlenecks. They also help provide valuable insights that drive smarter decision-making.

• Agile Scaling

Agile methodologies are no longer limited to IT and software development teams. Several non-IT projects and enterprises have also started adopting Agile at a larger scale. They have done so after witnessing the benefits of increased flexibility and better project control. 

• DevOps and Agile

The convergence of different DevOps and Agile practices is a significant trend in present times This helps several organizations break down silos and improve collaboration between development and operations teams. This also helps them deliver higher-quality software faster.

Also, check:Challenges-in-scaling-agile

Understanding the Job Description of an Agile Project Manager

Management across organizations expects Agile Project Managers to perform several different roles. Let me break down these roles into three categories: 

• Team-Level Roles

Agile Project Managers can assume two specific roles in a particular project process.

• Act as a consultant to allocate the right personnel, processes, and resources for team effectiveness and efficiency.
• Assume the role of a coach to advise team members on optimizing their efficiency within the project team.

• Enterprise-Level Roles

This level of roles among Agile project managers poses more significant challenges for them.

• Manage multiple Agile teams and integrate their work with activities outside their scope.
• Assume the role of a manager to look after massive and complex projects.

• Hybrid Agile Roles

The Hybrid process combines several Agile methods with non-Agile techniques. 

• Create an efficient project management approach for planning and managing the work
• Utilize traditional techniques alongside the original Agile methodology.
• Meet the specific project’s goals within the designated limitations. 

Conclusion

Agile team members often split the duties of an Agile project manager. Yet, this particular professional is enough because their sole purpose is to keep the project running efficiently. This manager acts as a motivating leadership figure for the entire team, and becomes a bridge between the team and the customer. 
Agile and Scrum frameworks have become popular across organizations and industries. You must know and learn Agile Project Management if you wish to become a successful Agile project manager. Simpliaxis provides several courses that can help you in this field. This includes the course in Agile project management that teaches how to lead project teams efficiently.