Agile processes are focused on the rapid and repeatable delivery of products or projects. Today, more and more companies across industries—including IT, manufacturing, marketing and communications, healthcare, and construction—are implementing Agile methodologies and development practices to help improve project management skills and stay competitive. For Agile to be effective and to maximize business value, they depend on continuous iterative planning and feedback loops—and the Scrum process allows you to do so quickly and effectively.

Traditional waterfall project management assumes you will map everything from the beginning through one streamlined process. Agile reflects the changing nature of requirements and feedback throughout the process of project delivery. It is a methodology where you apply an iterative approach to project management. Instead of delivering a final product to a client at an end deadline, you are constantly consulting with the client and stakeholders throughout smaller deliveries and feedback sessions or “sprints.” Living up to its name, Agile project management allows you to be nimble and responsive to the changing needs of your client and your team.

Scrum is an implementation of the Agile methodology. A Scrum meeting is focused on how you organize team roles, update client feedback and the latest changes in requirements. During this process, teams regroup to make sure the project is on task, on time and on budget. During Scrum meetings, project leaders and teams identify the steps, resources and personnel needed to complete a task.

Why Use Agile Methodology & Scrum Processes?

• Faster results

  Agile allows you faster product releases and ability to adapt to customer response and client feedback. Agile has a greater ability to guarantee project completion on time and on budget. Rather than responding to bulk feedback or a change in client needs by the time of final delivery, Agile helps your team to adapt and deliver throughout the development process.

• Improved teamwork and communication

  The Agile methodology places a value on person-to-person interaction and is dependent on open, regular communication. In an Agile Scrum project, teams come together on a daily basis to work through changes and share updates on each team member’s progress. 

• Risk and waste aversion

  The frequent touch points throughout the Agile Scrum process ensures that client needs, even as they evolve, are met while still ensuring that project team time and resources are optimized. 

FAST FACTS ABOUT AGILE SCRUM

• 71 percent of companies are using Agile Scrum to improve efficiency and increased product-to-market timeframes
• Agile is a methodology and Scrum is a process within Agile
• Agile frameworks help companies accelerate time to market, increase productivity and respond to changes in priorities 
• Agile Scrum is growing beyond IT and taking hold in diverse industries, such as:
  • Manufacturing
  • Media and communications
  • Healthcare
  • Construction and infrastructure

Ready to explore Agile Scrum training?

Drexel’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies offers professional pathways and courses to get up to speed about Agile Scrum. You can take two-day courses, ranging from beginner to advanced levels here on campus. Or, you can explore a professional skill track in Agile project management that includes on-campus courses and online essential skill training through The Skills Hub.

If your company is using waterfall and exploring adopting Agile, consider about Agile project management with Scrum training for your employees. Talk to us about getting a complimentary training skills gap analysis and our multiple employee discount.