Example of the Agile Approach

When people hear the word 'Agile' in connection with business planning and execution, the initial thought is usually correlated to tech development. However, an Agile approach is applicable to all businesses, regardless of industry.

Where Does Agile Come From?

The Agile approach was created by a group of tech developers as a way for them to improve their communication with non-technical stakeholders on their project execution and delivery. Instead of working on a project which is fully mapped out step by step until it is finished and then presenting to stakeholders, projects using the Agile approach are executed in shorter intervals of work. The work is to be reviewed by stakeholders every two weeks and next steps are decided on collectively. This way, stakeholders have an opportunity to continuously prioritize the tasks needed throughout the project's lifecycle (known as backlog grooming). Plus, in many cases, you will be adding value to your business at each of those intervals throughout the project if tasks within the deliverables can be useful themselves.

Although this project management approach was created for tech related projects, it is applicable to any type of business.

Example of a Non-Technical Agile Approach

If a medical practitioner decides to begin their own practice, there are many deliverables required in order to get up and running, prior to seeing their first patient.

Some of the deliverables they need to complete include (but are not limited to):

1. Setting up office space

2. Hiring supporting personnel

3. Marketing

The practitioner most likely has a limited amount of time to work on these deliverables as the practitioner would be practicing elsewhere until (or in addition to) they start seeing patients in their new office. Let's say the practitioner has eight hours per week to dedicate to executing these deliverables with a goal of completing all three of the deliverables within two months.

If the practitioner uses a traditional Waterfall project management approach to execute tasks 1-3 above in that predictive order, it would work, but the practitioner would not be optimizing their time.

The Agile approach uses 'Sprints' - two week intervals - to break down the various tasks needed to be executed in order to fulfill each deliverable. Prior to each Sprint, there would be a Sprint Planning session used to decide which tasks could and should be done within the next two week Sprint. This way the practitioner can be working on two or three of the deliverables simultaneously within a system that will allow them to achieve their goals in an optimal fashion. They could decide before the start of each two week Sprint what the best way would be to spend their available eight hours each week and which tasks they can confidently complete within those time constraints.

Let's break down the deliverables into tasks:

1. Setting up office space

   1. Searching for the right space

   2. Negotiating lease agreement(s)

   3. Getting required furniture

   4. Designing the space

   5. Setting up communication (internet and phone)

2. Hiring supporting personnel

   1. Creating job ads

   2. Conducting interviews

   3. Negotiating employment agreements

   4. Establishing office protocols

3. Marketing

   1. Hire website and collateral designer

   2. Create advertising & business development plan

   3. Launch the marketing initiatives

In Sprint #1 (first two weeks of the new project), the practitioner could do the first task listed in each deliverable. Assuming each of those tasks are completed on time, you are well on your way to executing each of your deliverables. In Sprint #2, you may be ready to conduct interviews or negotiate a lease agreement. However, if you are not quite ready to execute those tasks you can choose other tasks from the list which would make more sense to do next.

This approach creates a system that allows you to manage your priorities in an optimal fashion.

For more information on how you can implement an Agile approach to your business, contact the Adaptive Key for a free consultation.