Running an epic half marathon as if using agile planning using Tempo Software!

A half marathon is not a sprint, it's an agile epic with multiple stories and sprints!

“Life is not a sprint; it’s a marathon.” We've all heard this phrase before, but while running the Iron Horse half marathon near Seattle this past weekend, I found myself reflecting on how this saying connects to my new role with Tempo Software . Running a half marathon is an epic journey with multiple stories and sprints woven together to achieve a single goal – what if I managed the process like an enterprise agile product lead?

As I pushed through miles six and seven, I couldn’t help but think about how Tempo’s portfolio management software could have optimized my race preparation and helped me hit my “time and budget” goals of finishing in under 2 hours (a new personal best!). If I were managing my training like an enterprise software program, here’s how our products could have played a part:

Roadmaps for race preparation

Much like in project management, preparing for a half marathon requires a well-defined roadmap. Using Strategic Roadmaps (formerly Roadmunk), I could have mapped out my entire training plan, including diet and nutrition, hydration strategies, sleep schedules, and rest days. This roadmap would provide a clear visualization of my journey to race day, helping me anticipate potential hurdles and adjust plans as needed. After all, a race is just another project with its own deliverables and milestones.

Structure, Gantt, and balancing priorities

Training for a race doesn’t happen in isolation. Work commitments, travel plans, and personal time all compete for attention. Structure and Gantt Charts could have helped me map out these competing priorities visually, just like we do with projects at work. And because both tools are native to Jira I could ensure that my race preparation didn’t conflict with critical tasks at work, allowing for a seamless balance between my professional and personal life.

Dynamic planning with Portfolio Manager

As any runner knows, even the best-laid plans can change – a surprise work trip, a nagging injury, needing to replace and break in the running shoes, or unexpected weather can throw off your schedule. With Portfolio Manager (formerly LiquidPlanner), I could dynamically adjust my training and actual race itself on the fly, much like I would for a business project. This tool would allow me to reallocate time and resources efficiently, keeping me on track without overcommitting or burning out.? In fact, as I ran the race, I had to constantly monitor my actual milestone times versus my race plan, and adjust my mile-long “stories” and quarter-mile sprints all the way through. ? My last quarter mile ended up literally being an all-out sprint to achieve the goal on time.

Real-time reporting with Timesheets

Tracking every aspect of my training in real-time is essential for optimizing performance. With Timesheets, I could log each run, meal, and sleep, and document resources used (hydration, energy gels, running gear), and track recovery times – just like logging time on projects. This real-time data would provide a comprehensive view of my preparation, enabling quick adjustments and better decision-making to ensure I stayed aligned to my goals.

Capacity Insights and AI-driven performance

One of the most exciting aspects of training, when viewed through the lens of agile software management, is leveraging AI. With Tempo Capacity Insights, I could theoretically use data from my Garmin watch to monitor my physical performance. AI could infer my capacity – heart rate, pace (tempo!),? sleep, recovery – without manual input, just like it does in business. Real-time, AI-driven insights would allow me to fine-tune my training strategy dynamically.

Powerful analytics with PowerBI connector

And to bring it all together, I could use the PowerBI Connector for a detailed post-race analysis. This would allow me to pull all my training data, nutrition logs, and performance metrics into one place, providing a comprehensive view of what worked, what didn’t, and where I could improve for the next race. It’s the same approach we take with business performance – analyzing data to drive continuous improvement.

Crossing the finish line

By managing my race preparation and the race itself like an enterprise agile product lead, I brought my half marathon in on time and on budget – achieving my PB with just the right running tempo, as well as the carried amount of energy gels and water. It was a perfect balance, much like how we aim to optimize resource allocation in our projects.

Do you apply agile principles to your personal goals? Whether you're managing a product rollout or gearing up for a physical challenge, agile and strategic planning may be your best allies.? And for agile software development projects, Tempo and JIRA are a winning combination.

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