Agile Project Management: Keeping it Simple
In Doug DeCarlo’s insightful book eXtreme Project Management, he identifies innovative ways to streamline processes and simplify a team’s focus. Agile project management, and particularly Scrum, can become overwhelmingly consumed by methodology, jargon and rules. This is just the opposite of what was originally intended for agile-lead projects.
Being an agile facilitator and leader includes the following key roles and responsibilities:
- Provide guidance
- Motivate the team to deliver the project on time
- Remove obstacles
- Provide timely, effective communications
It is the communications part of our role that is so important. Let’s take a Scrum project for example.
A Quick Scrum Walkabout
Initially, the scope of a Scrum project is defined by the Scrum plan that includes a definition of each of the product backlog items (features). The most important customer and high-business value items should be prioritized to be implemented first and broken down into tasks in a sprint planning session that is primarily driven by the product owner. A person with the designated role of ScrumMaster facilitates and guides the team.
The team meets frequently (Daily Scrums) with the intent to discuss progress, remove impediments in order to reduce risk, and agree on remaining hours of work to complete. At the completion of every
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"The purpose of art: to make the unconscious conscious." - Richard Wagner |