Agile is a project management methodology aimed at rapid development with iterative feedback and communication. And while it’s popular with project managers, these methodologies can be applied across an organization to make everyone more effective and efficient in their deliveries.
For Agile teams, these concepts are ingrained in their day-to-day activities. They use the Agile approach of project walls, for example, to improve their response to changing needs or demands – this can apply to any department within an organization from HR or marketing to IT and customer success. By using an Agile approach, you can quickly adapt and end up with a more usable and practical output.
The Agile methodology is also one of the most accessible as it’s less formal and structured compared to other methods of project management. It’s easy for teams to embrace the idea of card walls to track and monitor progress, and it takes very little effort to manage. In addition, stakeholders like that they can understand what’s happening without needing special training around Agile. In fact, for some Kanban is the only Agile method they use to manage all work.
Easy to Build for All Departments
It doesn’t matter what department you work for; everyone can benefit from the wall of work Agile project management provides. Card walls, or walls of work, are especially popular because they are very straightforward to use and can be produced as simply as using sticky notes on a whiteboard.
Card walls also convey most, if not all, the information one needs to know about a project. When using a card wall, anyone within the organization can view it and understand what work is being done. The ease of use and broad appeal makes Agile project walls a powerful communication and work management tool.
If your IT department has invested in the right IT Service Management (ITSM) tool with Project Portfolio Management (PPM) capabilities (like TeamDynamix), you can roll out card walls within the tool to others in your organization. With this type of Enterprise Service Management (ESM) departments like marketing can run their communication and content creation projects using card walls. Consider the benefits when it comes to executing critical projects including performance review cycles, events and campaigns. Process enhancement techniques can also be applied to eliminate redundancies and help teams work more cohesively while making better use of their time.
When using a card wall, anyone within the organization can view it and understand what work is being done.
The Benefits of Using Agile
Using Agile project walls as part of your ESM strategy can offer numerous benefits, including:
- Improved Quality – Agile methodologies allow teams to break down projects into sprints and collaborate with one another to provide high-quality deliverables. This approach ensures that each aspect of the project meets the required standards before moving on to the next phase.
- Greater Control and Flexibility – Agile project management provides managers with more control over their projects. It allows for greater flexibility in responding to changes or issues that arise during the project.
- Effective Resource Management – Agile project management enables companies to pool resources and assign the right people to the right projects according to need or priority. This leads to better utilization of resources and improved productivity, no matter the department.
- Risk Reduction – The iterative nature of Agile methodologies helps reduce risks. By delivering the project in stages, teams can identify potential issues early and make necessary adjustments, preventing small problems from turning into major roadblocks.
- Enhanced Communication – Agile project walls facilitate better communication among team members. They provide a clear visual representation of the project’s progress, making it easier for everyone involved to understand the project status and tasks at hand.
How to Get Started with Agile Project Wall
Because the Agile approach uses card walls, it’s a simplistic, no-risk approach to implement for many organizations. There is little time or money investment required – you just need a team willing to develop a basic Agile project wall for their project and maintain it throughout the duration of the project. Chances are, if the project is a success, others will see the value in the approach and start to use it as well.
If you are in IT or the PMO, and you want to get your organization on board with enterprise-wide project management, consider hosting a lunch and learn session to help groups understand the power of leveraging an Agile project wall for all project planning.
Are you interested in learning more about Agile project walls and wall-of-work Agile methods? Check out our whitepaper on the topic.