Agility : The continuous improvement strategy

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Agility...What is that?

Agility is a project management methodology that began in the early 2000s within the software development industry. Its original goal was to speed up software production and enhance product value by releasing partial versions progressively, testing them in real-world scenarios, and adapting them to evolving consumer needs.

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An example please ?

Suppose you are developing reservation management software for a spa. Instead of delivering a complete version after 12 months, you release functional versions incrementally, prioritizing features. This allows you to observe user behavior and adapt, ensuring the final product is both functional and meets the user’s needs. Traditional project management might deliver a product in 12 months that no longer aligns with the target audience's needs or your competitor offer. Agility helps you stay attuned to the constantly evolving environment and adjust your work for maximum impact.

The Agile Collaboration Culture

Agile teams have a horizontal work culture and are generally small, typically comprising fewer than 10 people. The Agile team is self-managed, with members collectively assessing task complexity and setting priorities. Communication and transparency are central to this methodology, positively impacting the work environment and team cohesion.

Every morning, team members meet for 30 minutes to discuss tasks and priorities. Every 3 to 4 weeks, at the end of each sprint, the teams meet to share accomplishments and challenges faced during the period.

To facilitate discussions, some team members take on the roles of Scrum Master, acting as the orchestrator of group discussions, or Product Owner, the guardian of tasks and project priorities.

Agility and continuous improvement

The agile methodology is based on iteration. For each identified period, a partial version of the product is released and tested, allowing for continuous improvement of your product. The value of agility extends beyond the final product, encompassing the performance and learning of the individuals in your team. Regular consumer feedback enables the team to self-evaluate and develop technical skills.

On a human level, agile ceremonies such as daily Scrum meetings or end-of-sprint retrospectives allow the team to constructively reflect on their skills and behaviors, improving communication, collaboration, and, ultimately, group performance.

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