Everything is possible - we work agile!
The agile approach to running projects traditionally refers to iterative software development. Agila projects deliver functional part deliveries with the help of close contact between developers and businesses. This reduces the risk of developing a system where a large part is in a semi-finished position or remains unused by the business. Thus, the focus is on customer benefit and flexibility.
Everyone wants to join, but the question is whether everyone should join. And if everyone is ready. Agile management of projects requires that the business is also adapted. This past year I have been in an organization with a classic waterfall oriented project methodology. As the agile wave swept over the organization, many became confused and stressed. Can you do what you want now? Who really decides? Many equals agile project methodology with non-existent control and an almost chaotic position. You can change anything, anytime. We work agile! One effect of not really understanding the agile way of working is that business areas are not included in the transition. Often, traditional project management and requirements specification remain, led by a project manager. But nobody really knows what the project manager's role in the agile way of working is.
In agile projects, self-governing teams work according to a prioritized requirements list, which can always be prioritized. There is a Scrum master who leads the agile work and a product owner who prioritizes the requirements list. What role does the classic project manager really have here? How is control and management distributed effectively between the product owner and the project manager? These issues should be addressed before starting to avoid ambiguity and a confused project team that is starting to work in different directions.
"We have to work agile". I think the question should be asked instead: Do we have to work agile? Followed by: What do we mean by agile and which parts of the organization had become more effective with an agile project methodology? For my part, I am convinced that an adaptive and agile approach will be decisive for coping with competition in an increasingly fast-paced and complex business environment. In our eagerness to be flexible, however, there is a risk that we will become even more inefficient if we do not adjust how we want to achieve. Agile project methodology is good, but not necessarily the shortest route to the goal.