More and more project teams in a variety of industries are embracing an Agile process as a better way to manage workflow and respond to a fast-changing market. Agile project management is a set of fast and flexible processes that accounts for change, helps teams adapt to marketplace opportunities, and improve business performance.

Agile was originally applied to software project management because it lets teams model a solution and incorporate feedback throughout the project lifecycle. However, an increasing number of teams outside the software industry are starting to embrace an Agile way of working because many of the same tenets of Agile can be applied to their project types as well.

Where did Agile come from?

In 2001, a group of software developers gathered in Snowbird, Utah to ski and share ideas— and here, the Agile Manifesto was born. It’s comprised of 12 principles and four common beliefs.

Agile is credited with improving how teams manage shifting priorities as well as increasing productivity and project visibility.

According to a VersionOne survey, 90 percent of companies surveyed said that implementing an Agile process improved their ability to manage changing priorities.

What kind of teams benefit from Agile?

A wide variety of teams can integrate Agile into their project management processes. Here’s a list of teams and work types that benefit from Agile. If you see yourself in here, it might be time to give Agile a go.

• Any team with a project that evolves over time—especially when it’s only with each new draft or iteration that you know how and what to improve for the next version.
• Project teams that work with service-oriented and non-physical deliverables like code, copywriting and design projects.
• Teams that anticipate changes to take place during the course of a project, and need to make quick course corrections based on stakeholder feedback.
• Teams that work with external agencies and need to collaborate more seamlessly to meet deadlines.
• Teams that need a process that they can learn from and improve on for the next time around.
• Businesses that want teams working collaboratively and creatively with all team members engaging in the project management process.
• Teams that want to prototype the solution or process for the next version of the project.
• Businesses with projects that require everyone working in the same place (colocation), and need rapid feedback from each iteration, or draft. For example, software updates and new campaigns.
• Businesses with clients who want to provide feedback as the project evolves.
• Teams from all walks of industry: Software, IT, Marketing, Manufacturing, Creative & Professional Services teams and more.

Tell us how you use Agile, or how it’s affected the way your team manages projects.