Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve seen just about every industry across the globe undergo shifts at a pace that no one could possibly have predicted three years ago.

With that being said, most teams have likely had to learn, unlearn and embrace an endless string of new technologies and processes that at times will have almost certainly felt at least a little overwhelming.

Now, as technology continues to develop at breakneck speed, any business not approaching each day with an Agile mindset runs the risk of being quickly left behind by its competitors.

So, what is Agile working?

In super simplistic terms, Agile working offers your team the autonomy and flexibility necessary to optimise performance and productivity with minimum constraints.

There are no ‘set rules’ to what Agile working should look like, as the approach will be dictated by the unique requirements of each business that chooses to operate this way.

While no concrete definition really exists, there is a general consensus that Agile working spans four overarching areas of work management; time, location, role and source.

Still unsure? The Agile Organisation summarises the concept pretty well: “Agile working is about bringing people, processes, connectivity and technology, time and place together to find the most appropriate and effective way of working to carry out a particular task. It is working within guidelines (of the task) but without boundaries (of how you achieve it).”

The benefits of Agile working

There is a long, varied list of benefits that come with an Agile approach. For any business, regardless of sector, increased productivity and performance will no doubt be up at the top of that list.

Shifting the focus onto your people rather than the process enables each team to work in a way that is optimal for them. By removing the constraints brought about by ‘traditional’ office processes there are opportunities to significantly boost productivity, while simultaneously having a positive effect on team morale.

It’s hardly a secret that morale and high performance work in tandem. If teams are being held back by traditional, outdated office setups, then ultimately, the overall business’s progress is also restricted.

Agile breaks down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. This allows teams to deliver better quality results as the focus and resources aren’t spread across an unrealistic amount of deliverables.

Likewise, Agile working inspires innovation, and, as the name suggests, agility. Both of these are particularly valuable qualities in the case of tech-focused teams, where things tend to move quicker than in other sectors. Basically, an Agile approach is essential to keeping the business at the forefront of what is possible in your respective industry. There’s a reason no one uses a Blackberry anymore, Agile can ensure you don’t endure a similar, sudden loss of relevance.  

Visibility is another vital component that benefits. From the very top of the business, visibility is central to keeping everyone on the same page and accountable, and the clearly-defined roles that Agile builds makes this a much more straightforward process.

Other practical benefits include things like optimising office space — post-pandemic, many companies are still spending fortunes on space they simply no longer require, so there’s a huge opportunity to significantly cut costs.

Attracting and retaining talent is another huge reason to make the transition to working this way. While the concept is ultimately about generating positive results for your business, it’s also about breeding a non-restrictive environment in which your team can flourish by working in a way that brings them the most satisfaction.  

The benefits of Agile for project managers

With various team members given this sort of freedom, it can prove challenging for project managers to form a clear picture of exactly where a project is up to, and what is required of each person involved.

With that being said, the role of project managers has become more crucial than ever before, though their day-to-day will likely shift slightly. In an Agile model, key responsibilities can include facilitating discussions to improve collaboration across the organisation, empowering and ensuring team members have everything they need to self-organise and deliver, and supporting others within the business in the transition to Agile.

To ensure Agile working is a possibility for any business, Fluid offers complete clarity for all aspects of the work management flow, with real-time updates, actions, comments and reports all just a click away. So no matter where or how teams are working, project managers can instantly see where things are up to.

How to get started with Agile working

So, where to start? For businesses who’ve never worked this way, it may be a little daunting, and old habits might be difficult to break.

However, ensuring you have an effective work management tool, one which allows seamless collaboration between teams, makes the transition a completely painless one.

Fluid’s all-in-one project, program and productivity suite covers all facets of the day-to-day demands of running a business. Whether it’s in-depth project tracking and reporting, asynchronous meetings, priceless insights, task automation or remote workhubs, Fluid ensures you have everything you need to hit your goals whenever and wherever you are.

Want to learn more? Book in a discovery call.

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