The agile method for better teamwork
The question of how companies work together is still a live issue, and one that has evolved enormously over time. The secret to successful project management is now to apply the agile method. The aim is to improve work processes, and ultimately productivity.
Traditional project management methods
A linear process
The agile method is the opposite of traditional methods. In the past, teamwork was approached in a linear fashion, with a precise sequence of successive stages. This "tunnel" effect, whether in the form of v-cycles or waterfalls, corresponds to a predictive and sequential approach. In the Kanban method, the aim is to operate on a just-in-time basis. According to the Deming wheel, each step is checked before validation. However, there's no going back. If something unexpected happens, the process is slowed down or even suspended.
A rigid protocol
The starting point is an exhaustive set of specifications. Then you plan the whole job from A to Z, with the times and sequences for each stage. To proceed in this way is to assume that the environment is known, and that no hazard will disrupt the plan. This is hardly pragmatic, since the market is constantly evolving. And the constraints and imperatives of the job itself are often subject to change.
The risk of a mismatch
As a result, the gap between the initial plan and the final result gradually widens. This in itself is not necessarily a bad thing. On the other hand, since the frame of reference is that of the initial framework, the service provider may be reproached for this evolution. It's wiser to adjust the progress of the work as it goes along, in line with the customer's expectations, which may themselves change. Control milestones also make it possible to question certain directives at an early stage, avoiding the build-up of frustration and ever-increasing obstacles.
Agile methods: greater efficiency without stress
The starting point
The agile method originated in the IT sector. In 1994, a study by the Standish Group found that 31% of IT projects were halted mid-project, 52% were over budget and over schedule. And only 16% were successfully completed. An alarming reality, which has led to a paradigm shift.
The first applications
In the 90s, various agile methods appeared: Scrum, the most widely used, also XP eXtreme Programming, RAD - Rapid Application Development - and Chrystal Clear. In 2001, seventeen major players in software development came together to write a manifesto setting out the criteria for the agile approach. For software development, or the deployment of ITIL processes, these have become the benchmark, and a toolkit is now available in open source.
Refocusing on the customer
The agile method involves the customer from start to finish. We're closer to the request, and the associated need. The customer/supplier relationship is therefore more akin to collaboration. Visibility and transparency are enhanced. Progress becomes clearer for both parties: risks and possible false leads are detected earlier.
More agility for your business
Adaptive iterations
The agile method is based on an empirical approach: continuous testing and constant readjustment. Under the scrum method, we speak of sprints: cycles of incremental iterations. The product owner is the client. And the scrum master is the member of the team responsible for applying the agile approach.
Shorter lead times
Agile methods enable deliverables to be delivered faster, and products to be tested on the market more quickly. Time to market is shortened. As a result, upstream market research is no longer as imperative as it once was. It's better to launch halfway and observe the consumer's immediate, tangible response, rather than making plans for the future, at the risk of losing your footing.
The right method for innovations
Maintaining this degree of flexibility throughout the process is even more crucial when it comes to market innovation. When launching a new offering that breaks with what's being done elsewhere, market research is virtually impossible. How can we prejudge consumer reactions to a product that doesn't exist? Fifty years ago, nobody missed smartphones, but that hasn't stopped them from becoming indispensable.
Lean startups
Startups, when faced with a new concept, use the lean approach. They launch their offer in a first version, sometimes beta, and learn from the public's response. Early adopters bring in a wave of users, enabling the next version to be fine-tuned. Improvement is continuous: "you learn as you go".
Collaborative tools
In concrete terms, how can we inject more flexibility into a company? The answer: collaborative tools. By encouraging communication within work teams, you intensify exchanges. With Slack for communication, for example, Trello or Asana for task management. Collaborative platforms such as Office365, G Suite or Zimbra also have a real impact. Synchronized with contacts, email and calendar functionalities, they break down barriers between collaborators to work more effectively together.
Getting started with the QQOQCP method
The QQOQCP method is a simple and effective way of analyzing a situation. It can be seen as a method of organization at its most basic level, of project management in some cases, or as a sales tool: analyzing a situation to better understand your prospect and address their needs in a relevant way. It's certainly not the most powerful method, nor the most scalable on a company scale, but it does have the merit of putting one foot in agility.
Conclusion
Agile methods have revolutionized the way companies work. Focused on results, rather than projects, they are as close as possible to the market - in BtoC (Business to Consumer) - or the customer - in BtoB (Business to Business).
Article translated from French