Agile Project Management

Agile Methodology

Agile Project Management (AMP) is a project management methodology that encourages frequent inspection and adaptation, and that promotes a leadership that is focussed on teamwork, organisation skills and accountability.

Agile project methodologies are most often used in software development projects and use best practices to allow for rapid delivery of high-quality software. The agile methodology’s business approach aligns development with customer needs and company goals.

Agile project management uses principles from Agile software development and applies them to project management. Agile methodologies generally promote a project management process that encourages stakeholder involvement, feedback, objective metrics and effective controls. Additionally, agile methodologies such as eXtreme Programming (XP), SCRUM and Feature-Driven Development help project managers to reduce the cost of change throughout the software development process.

Agile project management is a highly iterative and incremental process, which developers and project stakeholders actively work together to understand the domain, identify what needs to be built, and prioritise functionality.

Who should take agile courses?

Agile courses are aimed at project and programme managers, software architects, systems analysts, team leaders, developers and can be relevant for anyone interested in applying Scrum and Agile methodologies to their work processes.

Agile course delivery methods

Agile courses come in a vast range of formats to suit you and your organisation.

After you have found a course that meets your needs, ask the course provider for more information about their course teaching methods. For instance, agile coaches and trainers can come to your office (in-house training), you can attend an open course with delegates from other companies or you can take an online/distance course.

Points to consider regarding your agile project management course are:

• Where will the course be held? In-company, in the student's home, at one of the course providers’ locations, or online?
• How will the course be run?
• Can the course accommodate your specific industry?
• Will the expected finishing level of the course match your requirements?
• What qualifications does your course teacher have?
• What experience does your teacher have in your professional area?
• What opportunities for organised social interaction for continued learning are provided?

Know your own skill level and your own goals

Before taking a agile  course, consider your own proficiency and your ability and confidence to manage these functions in daily or business situations. The other essential consideration before deciding on training is to know your needs.

Take into account the project management areas you wish to improve in and note down any specific requirements you have in your role. Browse the different course proficiency levels and talk to the course providers about your own sales goals and if they can focus on your professional area.

Whatever your needs, you can be confident that the right content in your Agile course will soon have you meeting your objectives.

Agile courses are available for those starting out in the industry as well as for the professional looking to stay abreast of the latest developments.