Can Agile Project Management methodology implemented in Construction projects?
Karthik RamamoorthySenior Engineer - Project Controls| Corrosion technology ServicesAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Waterfall PM method used in IT projects has been adopted from the PM methods used in Construction projects. In the same way can APM methods adopted in Construction projects.
And if so what could be the pros and cons. Saving Changes...
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Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
APM works well for any project where changes in a deliverable are easy to make. For example, in software development changing how an application works is as easy as typing a few characters. However, I don’t see how APM can apply to construction. You can’t, for example, easily remove the 4th floor of a 6-story building, or change a highway’s route after it has been built. When most people talk about using APM in construction, they really appear to describe breaking a Waterfall project into small segments. This can be useful in certain circumstances, but I wouldn’t call this an Agile project. Saving Changes...
Hi Karthik, it's a question we have seen many times here on the site, and a difficult one to answer. So far I haven't seen any good examples of Agile in construction, but I am willing to learn. There may need to be some serious effort by SME's in this domain who also have project management experience to tackle this issue. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
There was a hugh thread on that item that I think it could be better you searching for. On that thread valuable comments were written including people that is working with contruction projects today. My recommendation is searching for it. My only comment is YES. I used DSDM in 1999 and I used Scrum time after to open some branches of the company where I worked. Saving Changes...
So long as the constraints and limitations of applying agile delivery methods are considered, there's no reason they can't and through use of modular building components, 3D printing and so on, the concept of incremental & iterative construction is viable.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Lenka PincotChief of Staff to the CEO| Project Management InstituteParis, France
I would say you may apply agile in various areas that are part of your project though the overall project would be managed as waterfall. Scrum meetings are very beneficial in any project, LEAN principles as well. I think every step in a traditional project can be challenged by looking for a better way and that’s exactly where you can apply agile methods. Saving Changes...
I agree with Lenka. A hybrid approach can be used. But for the actual construction, it's still waterfall all the way until either the building processes change or if it's a construction where the end result is unknown, prone to changes along the way, and welcomes risk and innovation. Any buildings like that? lol. Well I can think of two: 1. huge sculptures left to the artist's discretion. 2. creating a habitat on Mars where we might plan for the project, but until we actually land on the ground and assess the environment over time, the project plans could be severely altered or thrown out the window (please not literally) altogether. Saving Changes...
I would say that it is possible to apply Agile to construction. You can't like in software remove a module (a floor) and keep on building. There is other ways to apply it in a construction context.
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1 reply by Karthik Ramamoorthy
Mar 03, 2018 11:22 AM
Karthik Ramamoorthy
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Hi Vincent,
Can you share any illustration or experience on how it has been used and to what extent has it benefit the project.
Rgds
Karthik
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Karthik RamamoorthySenior Engineer - Project Controls| Corrosion technology ServicesAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Mar 02, 2018 11:18 PM
Replying to Vincent Guerard
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Karthik,
I would say that it is possible to apply Agile to construction. You can't like in software remove a module (a floor) and keep on building. There is other ways to apply it in a construction context.
Hi Vincent,
Can you share any illustration or experience on how it has been used and to what extent has it benefit the project.
