Agile methodology was born in 2001 when 17 software developers met in Utah to find a better way to manage projects in fast-changing environments. They created the Agile Manifesto, which emphasized flexibility, collaboration, and delivering results quickly — moving away from the rigid, linear “waterfall” approach that often slowed down projects. By using agile methods focusing on adaptability and customer feedback, the agile method quickly became popular across industries for its ability to keep projects aligned with real-world needs.
The Purpose of Agile Methodology
Think of agile methodology as a flexible road trip: instead of mapping out every single stop before you leave, you set a general direction, plan short segments, and adjust along the way based on what you discover. Agile is a way of working that encourages teams to break down projects into smaller, manageable steps, focusing on regular progress and adapting to change quickly. This approach to agile project management helps teams deliver value faster, respond to new information, and keep projects on track — even when the destination shifts.
According to McKinsey, “agility is catching fire.” Let’s explore why this approach is so popular with teams looking to stay adaptable, deliver value faster, and keep projects on track in today’s ever-changing environment. In this guide, we’ll dive into agile best practices, helping you make the most of a more agile leadership method designed for today’s fast-paced world.
Why Teams use Agile
Here are a few key benefits of implementing agile processes in project management.
- Flexibility and Adaptability
Agile allows teams to adapt to changes quickly. Instead of sticking rigidly to a plan, teams can adjust priorities as new information or requirements emerge, making it ideal for dynamic projects. - Faster Delivery of Value
By breaking work into smaller chunks, agile teams deliver parts of the project more frequently. This means clients or stakeholders see results sooner and can provide feedback early on. - Improved Collaboration
Agile emphasizes teamwork and frequent communication, helping everyone stay aligned and engaged. Regular check-ins and easy-to-mange workflows keep everyone on the same page and foster a supportive team environment, making it easier to deliver value quickly.
- Increased Customer Satisfaction
Because agile teams regularly deliver and refine parts of the project, customers get a product that better meets their needs. Continuous feedback loops make it easier to stay in sync with customer expectations. - Higher Quality Outcomes
Agile includes regular testing and review stages, which catch issues early and ensure quality. With constant feedback, teams can improve and refine their work throughout the project. - Reduced Risk
By delivering smaller, usable parts of the project at a time, agile minimizes the risk of major project failures. Adjustments happen as the project progresses, so there’s less chance of costly mistakes piling up. - Enhanced Team Morale
Agile empowers team members by encouraging open communication and giving them more control over their work. This leads to higher morale and more motivated teams who feel valued and engaged.
Agile Frameworks and Methodologies
The type of Agile framework you use will depend on your team and industry. Each one has unique strengths that can benefit your project goals development process and needs.
Scrum
Scrum is a popular agile methodology, guiding 87% of agile organizations. It revolves around three roles—Scrum Master, Product Owner, and Development Team—working in short sprints to achieve focused goals. This approach emphasizes accountability, regular check-ins, and flexibility, helping development teams stay aligned and adapt quickly.
Kanban
Kanban uses visual boards to track progress and prioritize tasks across multiple teams. By limiting Work in Progress (WIP) to match team capacity, Kanban ensures smooth, continuous progress without bottlenecks. This method suits teams needing clear visibility and a steady, manageable flow.
Hybrid and Lean Approaches
Hybrid methods blend Waterfall and Agile, offering structure and flexibility for projects with continuous integration of both hardware and software elements. This lean and focused approach focuses on eliminating waste and helps companies streamline processes to enhance productivity, especially when it comes to software development.
Agile Implementation and Adoption
Let’s take a look at best practices for getting your teams and stakeholders on board.
Agile for the Digital World
Securing Support: Why Buy-In Matters for Agile Success
Without support from key stakeholders and management, teams may face obstacles like limited resources, resistance to change, and unclear priorities. It’s important to align everyone on the purpose, goals, and priorities of implementing an agile framework. Without strong buy-in, Agile can quickly fall apart. Teams may lack the resources they need, leaders might prioritize conflicting goals, and changes can face pushback or delays. Instead of creating a smooth, adaptable workflow, Agile becomes just another frustrating process that doesn’t have the support to succeed.
Agile Implementation Steps
- Educate and Prepare the Team
Start by educating team members on Agile principles and practices. Make sure everyone understands the benefits, goals, and expectations of the Agile approach. This foundation builds confidence and alignment before moving forward. - Select an Agile Framework
Choose the Agile framework that best suits your project needs and team structure, such as Scrum, Kanban, or a hybrid approach. Each framework has its strengths, so select one that aligns with your goals and is manageable for your team. - Introduce Agile Practices Gradually
Begin with key Agile practices like regular check-ins (daily stand-ups), short cycles (sprints), and clear goals. Introduce these gradually to allow teams to adjust to the new workflow without overwhelming them. - Encourage Self-Organizing Teams
Empower teams to make decisions about how to accomplish their tasks. Self-organizing teams take ownership of their work, which enhances accountability and encourages collaboration. - Promote a Culture of Flexibility and Adaptability
Agile thrives on adaptability, so create a culture that encourages change when needed. Be open to feedback, and let teams adjust their approach based on real-time learnings, supporting continuous improvement. - Regularly Review and Adjust
Conduct regular reviews and retrospectives to evaluate what’s working and what needs adjustment. Use these sessions to gather insights, celebrate wins, and refine your Agile practices, ensuring that the process remains effective and aligned with team goals.
Agile Implementation Cheat Sheet for Leaders
Use these outlines for your “stand-up” meeting and “sprint cycle.”
Daily Stand-Up Outline
- Purpose
- A short meeting (usually 15 minutes) to align the entire team, discuss progress, and address any blockers.
- Structure
- Time: Keep it brief—15 minutes maximum.
- Participants: Whole team (including Scrum Master, if applicable).
- Format
- Each team member answers three key questions:
- What did I accomplish yesterday?
- What will I work on today?
- Are there any obstacles or blockers?
- Tips for Success
- Stand up to keep it quick and focused.
- Stick to the agenda—no diving into detailed discussions (save those for after the stand-up).
- Document key points if necessary, but keep it lightweight.
Sprint Cycle Outline
Purpose: A sprint is a set period where specific work is completed and reviewed, typically lasting 1-4 weeks.
Sprint Structure
| Stage | Description | Key Actions for Leaders |
| Sprint Planning | Plan the work for the upcoming sprint. | Define goals with the team, prioritize tasks, and clarify objectives. |
| Daily Stand-Ups | 15-minute daily check-ins to assess progress and remove blockers. | Facilitate the meeting, address blockers, and encourage transparency. |
| Sprint Work | Team works on sprint tasks with autonomy, focused on completing sprint goals. | Provide support, monitor progress, and help with any emerging needs. |
| Sprint Review | Team demos completed work to stakeholders for feedback. | Encourage constructive feedback, celebrate accomplishments. |
| Sprint Retrospective | Reflect on what went well and what could improve for next sprint. | Foster an open environment, document learnings, and plan adjustments. |
Scaling Agile for Enterprise-Level Teams
By focusing on clear strategies, you can ensure alignment, consistency, and agility at every level of your organization. Below, are three actionable best practices to help your teams collaborate more effectively and achieve meaningful outcomes.
- Adopt a Scaled Agile Framework
Choose a framework like SAFe or LeSS to structure Agile practices across your organization. Start by identifying value streams, creating Agile Release Trains (ARTs) to synchronize teams, and defining roles like Product Owners and Scrum Masters. Train teams and leaders to understand the framework, run a pilot program to refine the approach, and then scale it incrementally to the entire enterprise. - Align Around a Clear Vision and Goals
Establish a unified vision and cascade it into measurable objectives for all teams using tools like OKRs. Use workshops to co-create this vision and ensure alignment between leadership and teams. Regularly revisit and adapt goals to stay relevant, and leverage portfolio management tools like OnePlan to track progress and ensure every project supports the organization’s strategic priorities. - Standardize Agile Practices Across Teams
Create an Agile playbook to document workflows, ceremonies, and standards, and ensure teams use consistent tools for tracking, collaboration, and reporting. Provide regular training and set up an Agile Center of Excellence to monitor adherence while supporting teams. Balance standardization with the flexibility to adjust practices based on unique team needs.
For leaders aiming to see the impact of agile practices at a larger scale, it can be helpful to implement a tool that promotes visibility across the entire portfolio. OnePlan helps enterprise leaders bring the power of Agile to large-scale projects with the visibility and governance they need. By connecting strategy to execution, OnePlan offers real-time portfolio and resource management, financial planning, and AI-driven insights, all integrated with tools like Azure DevOps. With everything in one place, leaders gain a clear view of projects and can make agile decisions that keep teams aligned and on track with business goals.
