SmartBiz IT Research Library

Staying competitive in today's economy means companies must deliver the right products to market faster than ever before. Agile methodologies are leading the way by helping software teams deliver products more frequently and with significantly higher quality. Making the switch to Agile practices challenges our traditional notions of software engineering best practices, project management methodologies and team leadership styles. The Agile approach impacts every role on a project team differently and creates opportunities to learn new skills and new ways of working together.

Shifting toward Agile methodologies has a particularly significant impact on the Project Management community. Agile introduces an entirely new framework for planning projects and introduces new ways of managing time, cost, and scope. Agile challenges the Project Manager's assumptions about certainty and encourages them to embrace change and manage risk through the delivery of working software. Collaboration, facilitation, servant-style leadership, coaching, and team building become significant new skills that will help the Project Manager effectively lead Agile teams.

This white paper will explore the impact agile development methodologies are having on the Project Management community, what new skills are required, and what the Project Manager can do to ease the transition.