How do you combine Agile with other methods?

The article started with Agile as an "approach" and then referred to Agile as a method in project management. Agile is not about project management, and it is not a PM method. If the focus is on being dynamic and flexible, then we must be talking about agility, which is also not a method. Agile concepts, such as iterative and incremental development are about product development, not management. If we want success in our product & and project management, we must understand what a PM Method is and how it is different from a development approach.

As Mounir Ajam notes, this is yet another article conflating "agile" with "project management". The core tenets of a PM don't change regardless of the DELIVERY MODEL chosen. And all projects should incorporate some level of adaptability/agility. Too much emphasis is placed on what is know as the "Agile Manifesto for Software Development". That very brief outcome (from some smart people) was meant as a guide to prompt discussion and change about software projects. Last I checked, that was a fraction of the projects undertaken around the globe. Good PMs will build on core principles and adapt to what is needed. More importantly, said PM needs to be working for an Organization that has a Vision. That Vision will always drive Value delivered.

Fix problems first.. use this to define process. Start by asking: - What is your current delivery methodology. - Why does it not work? Define the problems. - How can you use aspects of Agile to fix them. In the beginning a hybrid approach would help teams try out agile to agree if that is the right way forward. One more reason why 'top down approach' for Agile adoption fails 8 out of 10 times.

Combining Agile with other methods, like Waterfall or Lean, leverages the strengths of each to meet project needs. Choose the right mix by analyzing project requirements, team capabilities, and stakeholder expectations. Implement the combination by defining clear roles, maintaining flexibility, and ensuring continuous communication. Common challenges include conflicting practices and resistance to change, which can be overcome by fostering a collaborative culture and providing adequate training. Additionally, consider the impact on timelines, quality, and adaptability to maximize the benefits of the hybrid approach

In my opinion, integrating Agile with other techniques enables firms to capitalize on each approach's advantages while minimizing its drawbacks, leading to more specialized and efficient solutions that satisfy the many demands of contemporary enterprises.

In project management, there is ONE PM method. As we manage projects, the team can use many approaches or techniques to support the management, such as earned value management, critical path, rolling wave planning, etc.

There's no of the shelf combination of agile methods and framework for any specific project. Each projects has it's on challenges and dynamics and unique characteristics. So first assess your project's unique characteristics, needs, geographical spread, agile maturity etc. Is it a complex software development with frequent changes? Scrum's structured sprints might be ideal. Is it a smaller, ongoing project with a focus on continuous flow? Kanban's board-based system could be a good fit. Agile methodologies are flexible . You can combine elements from different methods to create a system that works best for you. Start simple and adapt. Try things like story creation (from Scrum) within a Kanban system for prioritizing tasks.

What's missing here is that first, you need to know the mission and purpose of the company. Then you need to know how any given work aligns to, promotes, and achieves that mission or purpose. The right methodologies, activates, and practices combined together will hone in on what drives the company in that direction vs what is just practices for the sake of doing them because the industry says you should.

Sensemaking is a good first step in assessing what approach to use. Understanding the problem being solved in the business context may be achieved by using a framework like Cynefin.

There is no right combination possible. Had the question been about combining various frameworks within Agile - there could have been possible explanations to it. Sadly, across all domains we have conveniently come up with something call "Hybrid". Hybrid = I am agile when it suits me, but when it threatens me to give away powers, allow customer-developers collaboration, decentralize decision making etc - I am not agile. You love waterfall - Admit it!

There's one framework to implement Agile and other methodologies together. It's always contextual. First and foremost is to define the why of combination and why the specific methodologies where chosen over others. Start small If you're new to combining methods, begin with a smaller project to experiment and identify any potential hurdles. Promote open communication and collaboration between team members and stakeholders from all methodologies involved. Combining methodologies doesn't mean abandoning structure. Clearly define roles, responsibilities, and communication channels to maintain order. Establish clear metrics to track progress and measure success. These metrics should consider the strengths of both methodologies being used.

Furthermore, ongoing monitoring and assessment of advancement and accomplishments are necessary. By collecting and analyzing data and feedback, you can make informed adjustments to your strategy whenever necessary. This adaptable approach ensures that your project remains on course and attuned to the requirements of the situation.

Clarity on the PDCA cycle. No one method works like a charm in one go, a period of trail and error with pre-defined margins are always part of the process. With using control charts and consistent feedback loops and metrics tracking through adaptive reporting structures allows fixing the right recipe to the taste of the organization. It's always about flavoring to the needs and culture of an organization.

There should be a clear benefit, problem your solving, challenge your overcoming with any piece of the combination. These need to be defined so you can measure against them at some frequency so you know when you can pivot for any methodology or practices. Implementing these is an experiment in itself so don't forget to not just inspect & adapt on what your building, but inspect & adapt on how you are operating in order to build.

Food for thought ... Among the limited selection of robust tools available for agnostic Project LifeCycles Customization, Disciplined-Agile (DA) stands out as the most extensive Decision-Toolkit to date. Considering 7 available LifeCycles to carefully select or to combine in hybrid mode * and by integrating overarched Flow optimization models, DA advocates the antithesis of the declining marketed of one-size-fits-all "solutions" It enables Project Managers professionals to TAILOR Project approaches on a case-by-case basis, aligning them with the unique Content, Context, and specific Business Objectives of Organizations. * Agile, Lean, Waterfall, Exploratory, Program-based, Continuous delivery Lean, Continuous delivery Agile LifeCycles.

And this is the key to failure or success. Resistance to change is a great risk here that can grow over time unless this is a company culture of embracing change, never stop learning, relentless focus on improvement.

The risk is not understanding that agility is not about frameworks. It’s about improvement. If an organization is too hung up on combining and implementing frameworks, they are quickly going to lose focus on the fact that the goal is to IMPROVE, not implement a framework.

Navigating challenges and risks involves proactive planning and communication. I anticipate potential conflicts, differing timelines, and divergent methodologies. Addressing these challenges requires open dialogue, clear expectations, and a commitment to finding synergies. This approach ensures that the combined methods work harmoniously, minimizing disruptions.

To overcome these challenges, I focus on fostering a culture of collaboration and learning. Regular retrospectives and feedback sessions help in identifying pain points and improving the process. Encouraging open communication and flexibility ensures that the team can adapt and refine the hybrid approach effectively.

Combining methods may lead to communication gaps between teams following different methodologies. Misalignment in terminology, timelines, or expectations can be challenging. Team members may face resistance to adapting to a hybrid approach, particularly if it deviates from their established ways of working. Integrating data, workflows, and artifacts between different methods can pose challenges. Ensuring seamless integration is crucial for maintaining project coherence.

The beauty of Agile is that it's not a one size fits all approach and that you can use a hybrid approach of Agile and Waterfall principles as needed.

Overcoming challenges is a continuous process of adaptation. I encourage a culture of feedback and reflection, allowing the team to assess the effectiveness of the combined methods regularly. This iterative improvement cycle ensures that adjustments are made promptly, optimizing the integration and enhancing overall project performance.

Establish clear communication channels and protocols to address potential communication gaps. Ensure that everyone understands the roles, responsibilities, and timelines associated with each method. Implement change management strategies to address resistance. Provide training, resources, and support to help team members adapt to the combined approach. Use collaboration platforms and tools that facilitate communication and integration. Platforms that support both Agile and traditional project management practices can enhance collaboration.

Integrating Agile with other methods, like waterfall, enhances adaptability in renewable energy projects. For instance, in grid connection feasibility studies, Agile principles facilitate iterative adjustments, while traditional methods provide a structured framework. This hybrid approach optimizes efficiency, fostering collaboration in diverse areas such as wind turbines, offshore connections, and transmission networks, ensuring a balance of flexibility and structured planning for successful outcomes.

Combining Agile with other methods is a strategic approach that blends flexibility with structure, and responsiveness with planning. It is a recipe for success that adapts to the unique demands of each project, ensuring efficient delivery and value creation.

"We tried agile for sometime (as if it was a new car or a new brand of coffee) but it didn't work for us? You know why? 1. You "tried" agile, but never "became" agile. 2. You renamed things to match with terms in various agile frameworks and started thinking you are agile. 3. You started using a tool like JIRA, Asana etc and thought you are agile. 4. Your managers (who should not have been there at the first place) tweaked and twisted agile ways of working in the pretext of getting things done. Ultimately, "YOUR HYBRID" mindset failed and "AGILE" was blamed!

It’s important to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of the combined approach. Metrics and KPIs tailored to both Agile and traditional methods can provide insights into performance and areas for improvement. Additionally, being open to adjustments based on project dynamics and team feedback ensures sustained success.

If a way of working is causing the team more pain than it relieves, stop using it. Be intellectually honest about the results achieved. Agile approaches are intended to allow the team to assess their progress working with their customers and adjust accordingly.