What is Agile project management?

Many popular apps or services we use daily undergo monthly or even weekly updates to functionality and user experience. Behind the scenes exists an entire team of software developers dedicated to keeping these apps in tip-top shape without the average person ever noticing.

However, this is far from an easy task. When updating or managing software projects, requirements can change quickly and often. This means that traditional project management methods may not be suitable for many of these tasks.

In response to this problem, the Agile project management methodology was created. Agile project management techniques appeal to a variety of individuals and organizations that value flexibility, collaboration, and adaptability in their projects.

Whether you are joining a software development team, creating a start-up company, or taking a role as a manager, agile projects can help you make updating apps and services a breeze. Asana & Trello are two amazing agile project management software tools. Both integrate with IFTTT, so you can automate your project management tools.

Read on to learn how agile methodology works, as well as how IFTTT can help you with a variety of software development needs.

Key definitions

Deliverables: These may include various components such as code, documentation, application interfaces, design assets, and test results. Deliverables can be produced at different stages of the project, from initial planning and design to the final release of the software.

Stakeholders: Stakeholders are individuals or groups who have an interest in the success of a software development project. They can directly or indirectly influence the project's objectives, requirements, and outcomes.

Backlog: A backlog is a prioritized list of tasks, features, or user stories that need to be addressed during the course of a software development project. The backlog serves as a central repository for all work items and helps the team plan and manage their work effectively.

The problem with updating software

Updating software can present several challenges for developers and organizations. Some common problems associated with software updates include:

Compatibility issues

New updates might introduce compatibility issues with existing systems, hardware, or other software components, leading to unexpected errors or decreased performance.

User resistance

Users may be resistant to change, especially if the update significantly alters the user interface, features, or functionality they are accustomed to.

Testing challenges

Ensuring that updates function correctly and do not introduce new bugs can be a complex process. Comprehensive testing is essential but can also be time-consuming and challenging to coordinate.

Resource constraints

Updating software often requires dedicated resources in terms of time, funding, and personnel. Organizations may struggle to allocate these resources, particularly if multiple projects are competing for attention.

How does agile project management work?

Agile project management is a flexible and iterative approach to managing projects, emphasizing collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

It works by breaking down large projects into smaller, manageable tasks or iterations, which are completed within short timeframes called "sprints." This allows teams to quickly develop, test, and refine their products or solutions based on regular feedback from stakeholders and end users.

Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, foster open communication and shared ownership of the project, enabling team members to respond more effectively to changing requirements and priorities. Using a project management tool is like having a shared Google Calendar with everyone on your team.

What is Scrum project management?

Scrum operates within a structured framework, using time-boxed iterations called "Sprints" and specific roles like the Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team.

The development process is planned and committed to within each sprint, emphasizing the delivery of potentially releasable increments.

What is Kanban project management?

On the other hand, Kanban offers more flexibility, without prescribed roles or ceremonies, and focuses on a continuous flow of work items. It employs explicit Work-in-Progress (WIP) limits to manage workflow and improve efficiency.

While Scrum is ideal for agile teams seeking structure and predictable cadence, Kanban suits agile teams looking for adaptability and continuous improvement.

Benefits of agile project management

Agile project management allows workers to adapt to changing requirements more effectively, ensuring that the final deliverables meet the evolving needs of stakeholders.

This is in stark contrast to the linear approach of traditional methodologies, which can struggle to accommodate changes once the project has begun.

One of the core practices of agile is breaking down the project into smaller, manageable tasks or iterations, which are completed within short timeframes called "sprints." As a result, employees and higher-ups alike can make data-driven decisions and prioritize features based on their value and impact.

Daily stand-up meetings, sprint reviews, and retrospectives provide opportunities for the team to share updates, discuss challenges, and identify areas for improvement.

By incorporating regular feedback from users and iterating on new solutions, agile management workers can ensure that the end product meets expectations and provides the maximum value to users.

A real-world example of a successful project using Agile principles is Spotify, the popular music streaming service.

They have adopted an agile framework known as "Squads, Tribes, Chapters, and Guilds" to manage their teams and projects. This approach has allowed them to scale their operations while maintaining a strong focus on innovation, customer satisfaction, and rapid delivery.

The five phases of agile project management

There are commonly thought to be five different phases to break down agile project management. Here's an overview of each of the phases;

The envision phase

In this initial phase, the project's vision, objectives, and scope are defined. The team collaborates with stakeholders to identify high-level requirements and establish a shared understanding of the desired outcome.

The speculate phase

During the speculation phase, the team develops a basic outline for achieving the project objectives. This includes creating a prioritized backlog of tasks or features, estimating effort, and identifying potential risks.

The explore phase

In the explore phase, the team works on implementing the tasks from the backlog in short, iterative cycles called sprints. They develop, test, and integrate the product incrementally, while regularly gathering feedback from stakeholders and end users.

The adapt phase

The adapt phase involves reviewing the progress and outcomes of the previous iterations and making adjustments to the project plan, processes, or priorities accordingly.

The close phase

In the final phase, the project is concluded, and any remaining tasks or deliverables are completed. The team conducts a thorough review of the project, documenting lessons learned and celebrating successes.

Software Integrations with IFTTT

With IFTTT, it is easy to streamline your software development projects towards maximum efficiency. By creating automated workflows that connect different software products and services, you can then allow them to share data and trigger actions. Read on to learn more.

What is IFTTT?

IFTTT (If This Then That) is our web-based service that allows users to create custom automation, called "applets" or "recipes," by connecting different applications, devices, and services.

These applets are designed to perform specific actions based on certain conditions or triggers. IFTTT supports a wide range of platforms, including social media networks, smart home devices, email services, and more.

The idea behind IFTTT is to simplify the process of creating automated workflows by providing a user-friendly interface and a vast library of pre-built applets. Users can select from existing applets or create their own by connecting various services using simple conditional statements (e.g., "If [trigger], then [action]").

Our favorite software development applets

Slack notifications for new GitHub issues

Receive a Slack notification whenever someone pushes a issue to your GitHub repositories. This applet keeps you informed about the latest changes in the codebase and fosters better collaboration among team members.

Track work hours with Google Calendar

Automatically create a Google Calendar event when you arrive at or leave a specific location (e.g., your workplace). This automation can help you track your work hours and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

GitHub to Trello

Automatically create a Trello card when a new GitHub issue is opened. This helps keep track of issues that need to be addressed and ensures they are added to the project management tool.

To access these applets and millions more, visit the IFTTT page and create an account.