Finding Out if Agile Training is For You

Agile, defined, means to move quickly and easily. Though it is often used to describe people and animals, it is often the name of a popular management methodology. It slowly began making its way into offices in the US in the early 2000s.

Today, many software development companies use it, and many companies outside the IT sector are also adapting parts of it to meet their needs. Agile training meetings are popping up on work calendars more and more frequently as companies strive to adopt this popular project management method.

What is the agile method?

The Agile Method is based on the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, and people use it as a software development framework. This type of project is broken up into smaller tasks and given a timeframe to complete (called sprints) to keep development projects on track, on time, and in scope.

So, what is the primary goal of the Agile method? It is to help companies build the product that their clients want and need.

The benefits of the Agile Method

This method offers various benefits to both the customer and the developers. The Agile process:

• Encourages cooperation between stakeholders and developers – When developers use this method, their clients are actively involved in the method each step of the way. This open communication and collaboration play an essential role in ensuring that customers get the product they want.
• Embraces change – It can be frustrating to have new wrinkles thrown at you in the middle of a project. But, that’s precisely what Agile wants. This method provides multiple opportunities to make changes and reprioritize, with meetings occurring after each sprint. Agile welcomes change, and it believes that change plays a significant role in creating a quality product for customers.
• Predictable delivery schedules – When sprints are created, they are given strict timelines. These timelines allow customers to know what they will receive throughout the project, helping them get a feel for how long it will take, and how much it will cost. Sprints also help keep the team on track and on time.
• Improves product quality – Since each stage of software development is broken down, there is ample time to test the product before finalizing it. By finding issues early and along the way, they are easier to fix; and doing so allows companies to provide high-quality and bug-free software to customers.
• Builds team connectivity – Agile unites each team through one goal and one purpose. Since the team members feel a sense of ownership over the project, they can focus on working together to complete tasks, rather than trying to compete against each other. A united purpose leads to faster results.

So, is the Agile method right for you?

You know what Agile is and what its benefits are, but is it the right method for your business? The answer depends on various factors. Before you sign up for Agile training, ask yourself these questions:

Is this a software development project? Agile works best with this type of work.

• Do you have an involved client? Agile relies on collaboration between teams and the client. If your client doesn’t want to be involved throughout the entire process, Agile isn’t the best option.
• Is your team open to feedback and communication? Both play an essential role in completing sprints and building a quality product. Your team must be on board with you before you sign up.
• Do you see failure in a positive light? Part of the appeal of the Agile method is that it encourages people to try things and to test them. If anything fails, don’t dwell on it, make changes, and move on. Agile team members should be people who can fail without letting the failure dampen their spirits.