Period: 2019
Project Type: Agile Methodology: A Rollout and a Project Pilot
Customer: Academic Institution
Description:
Our customer had a history of inefficient and expensive IT projects that would, in some cases, elongate unnecessarily and take years to achieve. During the analysis phase, it became evident that too many projects had been initiated at the same time, and due to the lack of focus and clear process, the delays and longer timelines had been caused by consequent scope creep and rework. The difficulty to elicit and understand all the project requirements upfront and a constant flow of changes coming from the business partners inspired the idea to try and pilot an Agile process.
My role: Agile Implementor, Scrum Master, and Project Manager
Tasks accomplished:
Analyzed the existing software development practices and areas of improvement
Prepared and conducted a number of training sessions to demonstrate the Agile process and how it fit into the existing process
Coached the team in Scrum process
Secured the agreement to launch the first pilot project
Project Kickoff
Supported the team in following the Scrum guidance
Established Scrum Sprint cadence and Roadmap
Budget: $75,000
Project Team: 5+
Business Analyst
Software Developer
Project Manager/Scrum Master
Database Specialist
Business SMEs
Duration: 5 months
Outcome:
As part of the engagement on a small software development project, a simple SCRUM-based process was introduced to the project sponsors and the development team. Since some of the team members had some experience with the various Agile methods, the introduction of SCRUM was not met with excessive resistance. The bigger challenge was to integrate the new process into the existing decision-making structures, resource allocation approaches, and client engagement procedures. Several presentations about SCRUM and Agile methods were made to the leadership. A proposed project process was detailed and suggested. As a result, the software development project was approved to pilot the proposed process. The project was finished within several months instead of the years many previous similar initiatives had taken. This experience was a positive move in the direction of faster project delivery and value recognition.
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