PROJ6017 Integrated Project Management Agile Case Study

Introduction: Agile Transformation Case Study for Non-IT Organisations

Project management may be stated as the application of certain types of skills, knowledge, techniques and other aspects that are all integrated into delivering the objective of the project. There are certain types of projects that the company or other people use for the management of the work and delivering something good to society. Hence, it will include the application of such knowledge so that the objectives of the project can be accomplished well. The current project is based on the case study Agile Transformation for NON-IT organisations. The present case study relates to the fact that agile is generally a method associated with software development. But it can also be linked with non-software companies or projects as well. Thus, the current analysis will evaluate the implementation of the agile framework in non-IT companies as well.

Main Body

Critical analysis of the case study

The current case study was based on a structural engineering company that provides multi-disciplinary solutions with regard to connection design and other activities. These other activities include 3D modelling, project management consulting, steel detailing and others. This company operates with a legacy-based approach and was planning to implement agile technology in the work of the company (Bogdanova, Parashkevova and Stoyanova, 2020). With the analysis of the study, it was evaluated that the goal of the agile transformation for the non-IT company is to renew the working practices and try to adapt to the changes and succeed rapidly. The ultimate goal of the implementation of agile is that it helps in generating instant work and has risk-free working.

With further analysis, it was also found that proper communication with the stakeholders is needed; in case it is not present, then it can affect the project to a great extent. Thereafter, communication with the top management was made as they are the primary stakeholder of the company. In case they are satisfied with the work, then automatically it will increase the working capability of the company. Also, while implementing any change, there is a requirement for effective leadership that needs to be present. In case the leadership is not present, then it will impact the working and implementation of the project of the agile method greatly. Hence, for the effective and successful working of the project in the business the proper leadership is needed.

On further analysis, it was evaluated that the team of agile coaches facilitated different issues relating to working and non-working stopped, and the actual working was also impacted. When effective agile is implemented then it will improve the working capability. Further, the case study analysed the implementation of Agile is very helpful in managing the work in non-IT companies as well (Marnada et al, 2022). This is due to the reason that when the effective type of agile methodology is implemented then it will provide different types of benefits to the company. It is due to the reason that agile includes the ability to create and respond to changes in a better manner. It outlines a proper way of dealing with the changes and trying to succeed in the working of the company correctly. Also, using the agile methods and principles will assist the company in managing the work in a better and more effective manner.

These agile principles guide the people in managing the work in a better manner, as it is a methodology that guides the project manager in accomplishing the task in a better and more accurate manner. With the help of Daraojimba et al (2024), it was analysed that the agile principles are very necessary to be followed. In case the effective application of this principle is there, then it will assist the company in managing the work and changes well. The most common type of principle is the value-driven delivery. It is a major principle that the company emphasises, and ultimately, the overall working is improved. When any new change needs to be implemented, then the overall value needs to be provided. In case the value is not delivered, then it will affect the working of the company to a great extent.

Thereafter, Santos and de Carvalho (2022) also stated that another principle that the agile methodology emphasised in the company and its working included stakeholder engagement. This is the most common type of principle, and this needs to be focused well. In case stakeholder engagement is included, then the work is improved, and ultimately, the overall working objectives are ascertained well. Hence, for the appropriate stakeholder engagement, clear communication must be done. In case the communication is not clear and concise, then it will affect the efficiency of the business. Hence, for communication, a clear channel is established, and ultimately, the overall work is improved, and changes will be implemented well. When the leader is in a position to manage the change well and implement all the work, then automatically the change will be accepted well by the company, and also the stakeholders will be more engaged with the company's objectives.

Evaluation of the current project management approach

With the above case study analysis of a structural engineering company, it is clear that the application of agile is very beneficial for the company. It is due to the reason that even though the company was non-IT, the compliance with agile project management was beneficial to the company. The most common type of benefit, according to Layton, Ostermiller and Kynaston (2020), for complying with the agile method is that it increases the quality of work. The reason underlying the fact is that when the effective plan is there, then it improves the overall working, and as a result of this, the efficiency is improved. Also, there are strategic steps outlined within the process of agile and the effective type of principles are applied. Thus, as a result of this, the overall working is improved, and ultimately, it increases the overall working and the overall quality is also increased.

On the other side, Zasa, Patrucco and Pellizzoni (2020) stated that even though the quality is improved, there is a lack of predictability. This may affect the successful completion of the project, as when the time for the outcome and another related aspect cannot be predicted well, it will affect the overall efficiency. Thus, as a result of this, the completion of the project is affected to a great extent. In support of this, some authors also stated that when the predictions are not good then it will affect the efficiency of the work to a great extent. Also, the future work is dependent on the predictions and budget, which are set within the current work. So, in case the predictions are not correct, then it will impact the overall work to a great extent.

In against this, Gomes Silva et al (2022) stated that the most common benefit of complying with the agile method is that it improves continuous engagement. This is due to the reason that when the effective type of methodology is implemented, it will increase the engagement of the stakeholders and people in the company, thus. As a result of this, the overall work is improved, and there is a proper and clear way of working, which assists in the successful working of the company. Moreover, when the planning is clear and communicated consistently to all stakeholders, it will engage the people more. Thus, as a result of this, the overall efficiency of the work will be improved, and ultimately, the objectives of the project will be attained well.

On a contradictory note, Jiménez, Afonso and Fernandes (2020) contemplated that within agile methods, there is a dependency on consumer availability. This is because of the reason that when the effective type of feedback is not present then it will impact the overall working of the project. Thus, as a result of this, in case the data or the feedback is not available, then it will impact the working of the project to a great extent. Further, the working of the project is affected in case the project management methodology of agile does not have clear consumer data, then the working will be impacted to a great extent.

Along with this, Žužek et a (2020) stated that another benefit of following the agile methodology is that there is early and continuous delivery to the consumers. It is due to the reason that when the agile method is followed then there is high clarity of working and as a result of this, the overall efficiency is improved, and work will be done well. In case the effective working will not be followed, then it can impact the working of the company to a great extent. Also, the agile method emphasises effective and concrete planning, and as a result, the delivery to the consumer is made effectively.

Recommendation

With the above analysis, it is clear that for non-IT companies, the appropriate agile method must be focused. In case it is not implemented well, then the chances of completing the project well will be impacted to a great extent. Hence, some of the recommendations for improving the working environment are as follows-

• It is recommended that the company that they must daily have an interactive session with the stakeholders daily at the end of the day. This is necessary when the daily feedback sessions are there, then it will help the company to understand the implementation of the agile and whether it is working well in the business or not (Papadakis and Tsironis, 2020). Moreover, when the effective type of work is not undertaken then it will impact the working efficiency to a great extent. Moreover, the daily sessions will keep the stakeholders engaged with the company more.
• Along with this, it is recommended that the company must continuously research the external market and the strategies of the competitors. This is very necessary for the reason that there are many new and different changes taking place in the external market, and the company must use them accordingly. Thus, as a result of this, the overall work is affected, and also when the latest methods are continuously implemented, then it will foster the work greatly.
• In addition, it is also advisable for companies or non-IT companies they motivate the employees so that they work on agile methodology more. When better benefits are gained, then automatically more people will be using the method, and as a result, the overall work is improved.
• Also, for the successful implementation and improvement of agile, it is recommended that the company have a sound and clear training session. This is necessary for the reason that when effective training is done, then as a result of this, overall improvement is made (Santos and de Carvalho, 2022). Also, when changes or modifications need to be implemented in the business, then proper training needs to be given. Hence, as a result, the overall work is improved, and the employees can work with more efficiency and ultimately the overall analysis is impacted.

Conclusion

It is concluded that project management is very necessary for the working of the business. It is mandatory for the companies to effectively comply with the project management methodology. The most common type of project management methodology outlined in the study was the agile methodology is important for non-IT companies as well. It is particularly due to the reason that it provides a step-by-step process of working, and this assists the employees and the company in attaining the objectives effectively. All the different planned stages are communicated to the stakeholders, and as a result, the overall walk is improved. Hence, the above study highlighted that compliance with the project management methodology of Agile is helpful to non-IT companies as well. Moreover, the different benefits highlighted included more stakeholder engagement, and some of the limitations were highlighted, like a lack of predictability and many others. Lastly, it was recommended to the company that they must have sound training and development, and a research department that will help in continuously improving the assignment methods.

References

Books and Journals

Bogdanova, M., Parashkevova, E., & Stoyanova, M. (2020). Agile project management in public sector–methodological aspects. Journal of European economy, 19(2), 283-298.

Daraojimba, E. C., Nwasike, C. N., Adegbite, A. O., Ezeigweneme, C. A., & Gidiagba, J. O. (2024). Comprehensive review of agile methodologies in project management. Computer Science & IT Research Journal, 5(1), 190-218.

Gomes Silva, F. J., Kirytopoulos, K., Pinto Ferreira, L., Sá, J. C., Santos, G., & Cancela Nogueira, M. C. (2022). The three pillars of sustainability and agile project management: How do they influence each other. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 29(5), 1495-1512.

Jiménez, V., Afonso, P., & Fernandes, G. (2020). Using agile project management in the design and implementation of activity-based costing systems. Sustainability, 12(24), 10352.

Layton, M. C., Ostermiller, S. J., & Kynaston, D. J. (2020). Agile project management for dummies. John Wiley & Sons.

Marnada, P., Raharjo, T., Hardian, B., & Prasetyo, A. (2022). Agile project management challenge in handling scope and change: A systematic literature review. Procedia Computer Science, 197, 290-300.

Papadakis, E., & Tsironis, L. (2020). Towards a hybrid project management framework: A systematic literature review on traditional, agile and hybrid techniques. The Journal of Modern Project Management, 8(2).

Santos, P. D. O., & de Carvalho, M. M. (2022). Exploring the challenges and benefits for scaling agile project management to large projects: a review. Requirements engineering, 27(1), 117-134.

Zasa, F. P., Patrucco, A., & Pellizzoni, E. (2020). Managing the hybrid organization: How can agile and traditional project management coexist?. Research-Technology Management, 64(1), 54-63.

Žužek, T., Gosar, Ž., Kušar, J., & Berlec, T. (2020). Adopting agile project management practices in non-software SMEs: A case study of a Slovenian medium-sized manufacturing company. Sustainability, 12(21), 9245.