The rapid pace of digitalisation is not only affecting our everyday lives, but also the world of work. The advantage of digitalization in the industry is seen as the fourth industrial revolution and called “Industry 4.0”. This industrial revolution started at the end of the 20th century and facilitated the intelligent monitoring and decision processes and is still evolving. With the great benefits for companies, it does also bring major restructuring and challenges. The industrial processes develop increasingly agile and complex. To manage such complex structures, new methods were needed. The new demands on project management were speed, flexibility, dynamism, and customer proximity. With rising software demands these projects were very difficult to manage with the hitherto prevailing plan-driven management methods, due to the complexity and uncertainty during these project processes. To still be able to handle such complex and uncertain projects, different agile project management methods were developed. The approaches are classified if they meet specific requirements.
The term agile management is an umbrella term for different approaches that meet specific requirements like the values and principles of the agile manifesto. One of the agile approaches is the scrum method, developed by Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland in the 80s. This method has its name origin in the sport of rugby. Scrum in rugby is a situation, which is formed, when the forwards of both teams are in a tight formation and try to dominate the possession of the ball. To win the ball possession, the forwards of a team must work agile and, in a team, to get their goal. The process of scrum project management is used as a framework, in which the team has to functions self-organized to reach their goal. This framework is characteristic for its iterative process making it suitable for projects in which many unforeseen changes may occur.
The goal of this case study is to explain the scrum method and plan-driven method more in detail and analyse the importance and advantages of the agile management method with the help of an exemplary project and lastly compare the agile method with a plan-driven management method.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Exemplar project
- 3. Scrum in a nutshell
- 3.1. Product owner
- 3.2. Scrum Team
- 3.3. Scrum master
- 4. Agile Manifesto
- 5. Plan-driven method in a nutshell
- 6. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This case study aims to detail the scrum and plan-driven methods, analyzing the advantages of agile project management using an exemplary project. It will compare agile and plan-driven management methods.
- Agile project management methods
- The Scrum framework
- Plan-driven project management
- Uncertainty and complexity in software development
- Application of agile methodologies to a real-world project
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the impact of digitalization and Industry 4.0 on the workplace. It highlights the increasing complexity and agility of industrial processes and the subsequent need for new project management methods to address these challenges. The chapter introduces the concept of agile management as a response to the limitations of traditional plan-driven approaches, particularly in the context of software development. It specifically mentions Scrum as a prominent agile methodology, drawing a parallel between the rugby term "scrum" and the collaborative, iterative nature of the project management approach. The chapter concludes by stating the case study's objectives: to explain scrum and plan-driven methods in detail, analyze the advantages of agile management, and compare the two approaches.
2. Exemplar project: This chapter presents a fictional case study of a software development project for a job portal app. The project serves as a practical illustration of the challenges posed by high-uncertainty tasks in software development. While the core functionality of the app is relatively well-defined initially, the chapter emphasizes the numerous unforeseen changes, design iterations, and user experience considerations that arise during the development process. These uncertainties highlight the limitations of traditional plan-driven management methods and underscore the need for a more flexible, adaptive approach like agile management. The chapter uses the Stacy matrix (Figure 1) to visually represent the relationship between uncertainty and complexity, reinforcing the argument for using agile methods in projects with high uncertainty. The project is chosen to showcase the utility of the Scrum method.
3. Scrum in a nutshell: This chapter provides a concise overview of the Scrum framework, a prominent agile methodology. It emphasizes Scrum's iterative nature and its suitability for complex software projects where change is inevitable. The chapter likely delves into the key roles within a Scrum team (Product Owner, Scrum Team, Scrum Master) and their respective responsibilities. While specific details are limited in the provided text, the chapter's function is to introduce Scrum as a practical solution to the challenges highlighted in the previous chapter, focusing on its ability to handle complexity and uncertainty effectively.
Keywords
Agile project management, Scrum, plan-driven methods, software development, high-uncertainty projects, iterative development, complexity, adaptability, Industry 4.0, digitalization.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Agile vs. Plan-Driven Project Management
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a case study comparing agile (specifically Scrum) and plan-driven project management methodologies. It includes a table of contents, objectives, chapter summaries, and keywords. The case study uses a fictional software development project to illustrate the advantages of agile project management in handling uncertainty and complexity.
What are the key themes explored in this case study?
The key themes include agile project management methods, the Scrum framework, plan-driven project management, uncertainty and complexity in software development, and the application of agile methodologies to a real-world project. The impact of digitalization and Industry 4.0 on project management is also discussed.
What project management methodologies are compared?
The case study compares agile project management (specifically the Scrum framework) with traditional plan-driven project management methods.
What is the role of the exemplar project?
The exemplar project, a fictional software development project for a job portal app, serves as a practical illustration of the challenges inherent in high-uncertainty software development. It highlights how unforeseen changes and complexities make plan-driven approaches less effective, showcasing the benefits of agile methods.
What is Scrum, and how is it described in this document?
Scrum is an agile framework described as an iterative and incremental approach to project management. The document provides a concise overview of Scrum, including its key roles (Product Owner, Scrum Team, Scrum Master) and its suitability for managing complex projects with high uncertainty.
How does this document address uncertainty and complexity?
The document emphasizes the challenges posed by uncertainty and complexity in software development, particularly highlighting how these factors limit the effectiveness of plan-driven approaches. The Stacy matrix (though not explicitly shown in the provided HTML) is referenced as a visual representation of this relationship, further supporting the argument for using agile methods in such contexts.
What are the main conclusions or takeaways from the case study?
The case study aims to demonstrate the advantages of agile project management, specifically Scrum, over plan-driven methods when dealing with complex and uncertain projects, especially in the context of software development and the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0 and digitalization. The detailed comparison of these approaches and the practical application of Scrum to the exemplar project are intended to support this conclusion.
What are the key words associated with this case study?
Key words include: Agile project management, Scrum, plan-driven methods, software development, high-uncertainty projects, iterative development, complexity, adaptability, Industry 4.0, digitalization.
What is covered in each chapter?
Chapter 1 (Introduction): Sets the context by discussing the impact of digitalization and Industry 4.0, introduces agile management and Scrum. Chapter 2 (Exemplar Project): Presents a fictional software development project to illustrate the challenges of high-uncertainty tasks. Chapter 3 (Scrum in a nutshell): Provides an overview of the Scrum framework, roles, and iterative nature. Chapter 4 (Agile Manifesto): Details likely cover the principles of the Agile Manifesto. Chapter 5 (Plan-driven method in a nutshell): Explains the core principles and practices of plan-driven project management. Chapter 6 (Conclusion): Summarizes the findings and reinforces the advantages of agile methodologies.
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- Stonia Thorand (Autor:in), 2022, Principles of Agility Used in Modern Software Development, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1192570
