Embedding Agile Beyond IT

By: Pallavi Sen

Technology is driving business in all industries.

Over the past couple of decades, Agile methods have been highly successful in many facets of the Information Technology industry. However, it is also becoming more common to come across neologisms such as Fintech, Edtech, Medtech, Wealthtech, Realtech, and Regtech, showing that no matter the industry, there are many benefits to leveraging Agile techniques across all sectors in order to keep innovating efficiently.

What is Agile?

Agile is an umbrella term used for different project management frameworks and methodologies. There are about 41 different Agile frameworks. Some of the most common frameworks include Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Xtreme Programming (XP), Test Driven Development (TDD), and Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM).

The Agile approach has gained favour with many organizations and project managers due to the fact that the approach:

·??????is nimbler, in that team members can easily adapt to changing client needs.

·??????allows learning from failures, so there is merit in taking more risks.

·??????adopts the process of “lather, rinse, and repeat” – figuring out details along the way and then making the best decisions possible based upon the most up-to-date information available.

·??????can help avoid cost overruns and scope creep, by allowing project managers to more accurately estimate costs and set clear timelines .

Agile doesn’t just apply to IT

While Agile is predominantly used within information technology initiatives, agile techniques can also have applications beyond IT to other industries such as marketing and advertising, pharmaceuticals, construction, non-profits, and non-technology projects as well.

Not the be all, end all

However, Agile is not a silver bullet. Organizations need to understand what the nature of their impending business change is and the rationale for change before deploying a chosen framework. Projects that require a high level of reliability and predictability are better suited to waterfall method, such as ones in defense, aerospace, or compliance projects in pharmaceutical industry.

Organizations that are used to plan-driven approaches can often find it hard to switch over to Agile, as it involves managing a degree of uncertainty. In such cases as these, a hybrid approach to project management could a great way to transition a team towards Agile ways of working.?