Author: Dot Tudor
Date: 2008-07-01

Introducing Agile Methods into Project Management

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Dorothy Tudor, Technical Director at TCC - a leading Agile training and consultancy company, explores the elements of project development with specific reference to DSDM Atern, the UK's foremost Agile approach. The factors which make success more likely in an Agile project are uncovered and guidance is given on steps to successful implementation.

Projects need to deliver results. They need to do this reliably, predictably, and usually within a tightly-constrained budget, whilst delivering the benefits for which the project was initiated. Public sector organisations will use PRINCE2 as a standard framework for governance and reporting within projects. However, projects can gain great benefit from using an Agile approach within the PRINCE2® framework.

What is Agile?

An Agile approach is one which delivers business-focused results incrementally, visibly and effectively. The focus is on getting something of business value "out there" as early as possible, and then on delivering further features regularly. This is achieved by involving customers and users as active members of the project team. The approach relies on 'chunking': on breaking the project down into small, cohesive portions and planning the development and delivery of features incrementally in short timeboxes. This also involves dividing the project personnel into small multi-skilled teams. It is crucial to get the right people involved and establish commitment, throughout the project, of people with the appropriate skills, knowledge and empowerment. Agile works through business-driven prioritisation of features and by the use of specific techniques, such as workshops and retrospectives to promote effective, speedy communication.

The Components of an Agile Approach

For our detailed analysis of the Agile approach, we use DSDM Atern, the best-documented and most rigourous of the Agile approaches worldwide. It is the result of the active evolution of an Agile framework and techniques over more than a decade, incorporating project experiences and adapting to a changing organisational environment.

DSDM Atern takes a prioritised approach to the delivery of benefits: doing what can be done within time and budget, without compromising quality. It enables flexibility of working practice to allow the development team to adapt and learn. It also keeps management informed by striving for visibility of plan, progress and product throughout the project. All of this is achieved whilst retaining a framework with sufficient rigour and control to keep the focus on what is really required. DSDM Atern dovetails with the PRINCE2 processes and roles to deliver effectively in a changing environment.

DSDM Atern uses:

modelling techniques to make ideas visible and aid communication;
prototyping and iterative development to illustrate and evolve solutions;
firm project control using timeboxing and a product focus;
a sound, customisable project framework;
clearly-defined roles, responsibilities and levels of authority for the project personnel and guidance on team-working;
the involvement of stakeholders through well-run, facilitated workshops, for discovering facts and requirements, obtaining decisions and resolving conflicts.

DSDM Atern has eight principles which are fundamental to the successful application of the approach:

Focus on the business need	Develop Iteratively
Focus on the business need	Build Incrementally from Firm Foundations
Collaborate	Communicate continuously and clearly
Never Compromise Quality	Demonstrate control