It's a fact: if you don't have the ability to adapt to change, it will eventually consume you. This is true in all areas of our lives, and the professional world is no exception.
Businesses today are experiencing change at a faster pace than ever before, and Agile methodologies recognise that this requires the development of flexible and responsive software. It is a people-centric, results-driven approach to software development that takes into account the rapid evolution of our world.
In recent years, Agile has become the software development method of choice for many companies. It is a project management methodology that emphasises rapid, incremental development and focuses on frequent delivery of high quality software products.
what is Agile, how does it work and how can you implement it in your business? We tell you all about it here.
what is the Agile Methodology?
The Agile Methodology is a set of principles that govern the way we develop any kind of software and other projects that involve high performance. These principles emphasise the importance of responding to change and allocating resources to projects in a way that creates a sense of urgency and close cooperation between all stakeholders, including customers. Agile stresses the importance of small teams and face-to-face collaboration, and promotes self-organisation, self-selection and self-responsibility.
This way of working involves approaching each project not as a whole, but by breaking it down into small parts. Small teams work closely with their customers to understand their needs and then build the software bit by bit, demonstrating to customers as they go along. This ensures that what they are going to deliver meets their customers' needs.
Until recently, software was developed once, over a long period of time, and then upgraded according to the needs of the teams. Now it is completed in less time and with continuous improvements to its quality and versatility.
The 4 values on which the Agile methodology is based
The four main values of Agile are:
- Individuals and interactions come before processes and tools.
- A working software is more of a priority than comprehensive documentation.
- Collaboration with the customer is sought before contract negotiation.
- Respond to change rather than follow a fixed plan.
These principles aim to deliver value quickly and consistently, always deliver a functional product, work as a team, learn from experience, communicate openly and react quickly to change.
The 12 principles of the Agile methodology
The Agile Manifesto details, in addition to the 4 core values mentioned above, 12 key principles of the Agile methodology:
- Achieve customer satisfaction through software delivery
- Don't be afraid to make changes
- Deliver working software in less time
- Developers and management must work together
- Develop projects around motivated people
- Interacting face-to-face is the most effective mode of communication
- Working software is the primary measure of progress
- Agile processes promote sustainable development
- Attention to technical excellence and good design improves agility
- Simplicity is essential
- Best architectures, requirements and designs emerge from self-organising teams
- Inspect and adapt
Next, we'll look at how to apply the Agile methodology in your business, so read on!
How to apply the Agile methodology in your business or project
According to HubSpot, there are 6 essential steps to implement the Agile methodology in your business:
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Identify your business goals
Before applying this method, you must identify your business goals. Establish a clear vision of how you expect the new method to help you achieve your business goals.
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Analyse the company culture
Having an open mindset within your company is one of the prerequisites for implementing an Agile methodology, where transparent communication and leadership play a key role within your team. Your organisational culture must be open to the implementation of this type of methodology so that efforts are not isolated, but integrated into the business structure.
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Detect the potential impact on your customers
Ask yourself questions such as: what would be the best way to improve your customers' experience? or what effect will it have on the quality of your services? or how will it improve the company/customer relationship? These questions will be fundamental to determine how the implementation of Agile will benefit your company and, above all, your customers.
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Determine the resources available in your company
In developing this method, it is essential to consider whether you have the people and technologies necessary to deliver the best Agile results, as well as the necessary infrastructure and suppliers - all of which, combined, will lead to a successful implementation.
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Lean on your company's leaders
Implementing a new Agile approach to project management is a fundamental change within your organisation, as it will impact your processes, your day-to-day operations and the way you use technology, so it is essential that you involve your business leaders and experts from the start of the transition to Agile. This will enable you to introduce change more effectively.
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Implement Agile-based processes
The time has come to adopt agile methodologies; which will take into account the new flows, the people who will be involved and the actions and technologies that will be used to achieve all of your organisation's goals.
Implement Agile methodology in your Inbound Marketing Strategy
are you a HubSpot customer or do you want to be a HubSpot customer? As we have already mentioned, the Agile methodology is applicable to different software and projects. Today we have chosen one of the favourites in the current market: HubSpot.
Now that you know how to apply this methodology in your business, you just have to decide which projects you are going to apply it to. Agile is suitable for any business that is willing to change paradigms and achieve a value chain, from internal teamwork to end-user and customer satisfaction.
Ultimately, it aims to develop the ability to create new workflow s that optimise and improve the performance of the people working in your organisation.
Keep these agile project management principles in mind and you can keep your team and your project on track.
