Whether you’re trying to become more adaptable, flexible, both or neither, the way we work is always changing. Agile working has become increasingly popular in the world of project management due to its collaborative and flexible approach. We develop the way we work for a number of reasons; this could be to suit our customers or simply to become more productive. There are several project management methodologies that help manage the work day better, but one that has taken organisations across the world by storm is agile project management. Agile project management emphasizes continuous feedback and iterative development to meet the needs of the customer. Adopting agile working methodologies can provide organisations with a more streamlined approach to project management, increased productivity, and better project outcomes.

Agile working

Before implementing agile working methodologies, it’s a good idea to understand the different project management methodologies and make sure this is the best fit for you. If it is, then it’s essential to define the goals of the project and identify the outcomes you wish to achieve. This helps to determine the best approach and the tools required to meet those objectives.

Agile working requires a collaborative team with diverse skills and expertise to work together to achieve a common goal. The team must embrace the agile mindset, which values change, focuses on value, and promotes collaboration.

Project management software is a vital tool for agile working, and there are many options available, such as the Fluid PPM all-in-one solution. Fluid offers features such as sprint planning, real-time collaboration, and Kanban boards to facilitate agile project management.

How to start agile working with project management software

1. Choose the right project management software that suits your organisation's needs. Look for a tool that provides the features you need to manage agile projects effectively.  

2. Define your agile project management process. Decide on the agile methodology that you want to adopt, such as Scrum or Kanban. Determine the sprint length, backlog management process, and team roles and responsibilities.

3. Set up your project in your project management software. Create your backlog, set up your sprint board, and add your team members.

4. Conduct a sprint planning meeting. Involve the entire team and define the goals and objectives of the sprint. Use your project management software to assign tasks and track progress throughout the sprint.

Running an agile meeting

Agile meetings are essential to the success of agile working. These meetings focus on collaboration and keeping the team informed and aligned on project goals and progress. Agile meetings should be short, focused, and held regularly to ensure that the team stays on track.

To run an effective agile meeting, follow these steps:

1. Define the purpose of the meeting. Ensure that you have a clear objective or agenda before starting the meeting. Communicate the purpose of the meeting to the team to ensure everyone is on the same page.

2. Keep the meeting short and focused. Agile meetings should be brief and to the point. Limit your meeting time to 15-30 minutes and stick to the agenda.

3. Encourage collaboration. Agile meetings are all about collaboration. Encourage everyone on the team to participate, share ideas, and ask questions. Use your project management software to facilitate collaboration and real-time communication.

4. Use visual aids. Visual aids such as whiteboards or sticky notes can keep the team focused and engaged. Use your project management software to display sprint boards, task lists, and progress charts.

5. Review progress. Agile meetings are an opportunity to review progress and discuss any obstacles that the team may be facing. Use the meeting to identify any issues and collaborate on solutions.

6. Follow up. After the meeting, follow up with the team to ensure everyone is clear on their tasks and responsibilities. Use your project management software to track progress and provide feedback.

PPM software and practical agile working

Agile working methodologies have become an essential aspect of project management, providing organisations with a flexible and collaborative approach to project delivery. To start agile working with project management software, choose the right tool and define your agile project management process. Fluid helps teams to work smarter and save time with an all-in-one projects, programs, and productivity software suite.  

A seamless collaboration process with an intuitive platform that can accommodate the flexibility that agile working demands, Fluid provides a software solution that is perfect for all teams adopting agile methodologies. The advanced capabilities to collaborate asynchronously is useful in the ever-evolving world of remote, and the sprint boards make planning and achieving success a norm for agile teams.  

Talk to our team today and we’ll show you how Fluid helps you.