Agile Methodology: Principles, Uses and Framework

The Agile approach has roots in software development but has been increasingly adopted across various industries. For example, in 2016, Best Buy Canada shifted from the Waterfall methodology to an Agile approach, which has generated a significant increase in revenue and approximately reduced the cost of value delivery. The public sector, including the Government of Canada, has also been incorporating an Agile mindset into its operations. 

Explore this project management approach in more detail to gain a deeper understanding of why and when to use it. 

What is Agile?

Agile is an approach to project management that centres around incremental and iterative steps to completing projects. Participants carry out incremental parts of a project in short-term development cycles. The approach prioritizes quick delivery, adaptability, and collaboration over top-down management and following a set plan.

Furthermore, Agile processes rely on constant feedback, allowing team members to adjust to challenges as they arise. It also provides stakeholders with an opportunity to communicate consistently. Though originally created for software development, the Agile approach is now widely used in executing many different types of projects and in running organizations.

Contrast this with more traditional forms of project management. Traditional project management generally progresses linearly through planning, designing, implementation, and closing stages. One stage must end before moving to the next one.   

What is Agile methodology?

Agile is technically not a methodology by itself but rather a mindset for approaching how you complete projects. Agile lacks specific guidelines on tools and processes, which is why it isn't considered a methodology.

Agile is, however, the umbrella term for many types of management methodologies. Scrum, Kanban, and Extreme Programming (XP) are each considered different Agile methodologies.

If you're considering learning Agile to advance your project management career, you might consider boosting your resume with a certificate. You can earn a career certificate from Google by completing their Agile Project Management course or complete the entire course series to earn the Google Project Management Professional Certificate.

Pros and cons of Agile methodology

Though Agile is gaining in popularity and has a host of advantages, it’s not without its challenges. Below are some of the benefits and drawbacks Agile users face:

When to use Agile vs. traditional project management

The tenets of Agile—adaptability, iteration, continuous delivery, and short time frames, among others—make it a project management style that is better suited for ongoing projects and projects where certain details aren’t known from the outset. That means if a project doesn’t have clear constraints, timelines, or available resources, it’s a good candidate for an Agile approach.

For example, designing and launching a new product might push a team against several unforeseen challenges. Having an Agile approach can mean the project already has the methodology in place to test products as often as needed, iterate quickly, and communicate changes with stakeholders.

Traditional project management approaches, like Waterfall, simplify planning and measuring progress. This can make projects with clearly demarcated constraints (like a strict budget or timeline) or projects where teams work independently of stakeholders better suited for traditional approaches.

Industries that use Agile methods

Agile grew from the minds of a group of software development project managers. Since then, it has continued to be popular in software development but has expanded to many other industries as well. These include finance, IT, business, fashion, biotechnology, and even construction—among many others.

Using both Agile and Waterfall methods

Not all projects fit neatly into one category or the other. For projects that might benefit from elements of both a traditional approach and an iterative approach, an Agile-Waterfall hybrid approach can make sense. This could mean, for example, you use Waterfall for planning and design, but carry out development in short development cycles, Agile-style.

Read more: Agile vs. Scrum: How to Choose the Best Method

Agile methodologies and frameworks

These several Agile methodologies and frameworks, each with its own pros and cons. Some are hybrids of multiple methodologies. Scrum is by far the most commonly used Agile methodology; Digital.ai found that 63 per cent of Agile adopters use Scrum [1].

Popular Agile methodologies include:

• Scrum

• Kanban

• Lean

• Crystal

• Extreme Programming (XP)

• Feature-Driven Development (FDD)

• Domain-Driven Design (DDD)

• Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)

• ScrumBan

• Agile-Waterfall/Hybrid Agile

• Scrum XP Hybrid

Scaling methods

Agile scaling methods help implement Agile practices across multiple teams or entire organizations. Outlined below are some common scaling methods:

• Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

• Scrum of Scrums

• Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD)

• Large Scale Scrum (LSS or LeSS)

• Enterprise Scrum

• Lean Management

• Agile Portfolio Management (APM)

• Nexus

Agile values and principles

Agile project management includes four values and 12 principles. These values and principles stem from the Agile Manifesto, created in 2001 by 17 managers of software development [2]. Much of the philosophy that underpins the Agile Manifesto came about in reaction to what people perceived as the bottlenecks of software development processes at the time.

Agile values

Agile values prioritize people over processes, quick software delivery, collaboration with customers, and flexible planning. Explore each value in greater detail below. 

Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: While tools and processes are important, the Agile Manifesto prioritizes the people behind them. Having the right people in place and empowering them to interact smoothly with each other can lead to successes that tools by themselves won’t be able to.

Working software over comprehensive documentation: The creators of Agile believed that it was more important to get stuff done than to get bogged down in the planning and documentation stages.

Customer collaboration over contract negotiation: Agile aims to maintain contact with them throughout the creation process instead of siloing stakeholders from the project.

Responding to change over following a plan: Following a plan that no longer makes sense to follow can be counterproductive. Adaptation is central to the Agile philosophy.

The 12 principles define early and frequent delivery, simplicity, constant feedback, the collaboration of interested parties, and individual support, among others, as the pillars of Agile project management [3].

Agile certifications

Certifications in Agile project management can verify your knowledge of Agile as a whole or in specific Agile methodologies. Think about the skills you might use in your career and workplaces before deciding on the certification to get.

Common Agile certifications include:

• PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

• ICAgile Certified Professional (ICP)

• AgilePM Foundation - APMG

You can also consider certification in a specific framework. Scrum is the most commonly used Agile method, so Scrum certification could be a good place to start. These include:

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

• Professional Scrum Master (PSM)

• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Sharpen your Agile skills on Coursera

Taking online courses can be a great way to get to know Agile basics and incorporate this methodology into your workplace. Coursera has several top-rated courses to get you started:

Consider Atlassian University's free course, Agile with Atlassian Jira, to learn how to configure the Jira software and use it to practice the Agile methodology.

When you're ready to advance your career in Agile, take the University of Virginia's Agile Development Specialization. This course takes about a month to complete and covers how to lead product development teams using the Agile approach.

To explore project management more broadly and prepare for an entry-level role in project management, consider the Google Project Management Professional Certificate. This program covers project execution, stakeholder management, and strategic communication, and includes a course on Agile Project Management.