Why learn Agile project management?

Today, businesses need an approach that evolves with their needs. And for an increasing number of organisations, Agile project management has become a critical way to navigate the rapid pace of modern business.

Agile’s methodology is a type of project management that champions adaptability, iterative progress, real-time feedback and the power of collaboration. A mindset as much as a project management tool, Agile is centred on empowering teams to deliver results efficiently – even in the face of shifting priorities.

And it works. Data shows Agile practices can enhance team productivity, predictability of delivery and process discipline. Originally created for the high-speed world of software development, Agile’s effectiveness has seen it expand to help a number of industries thrive in the face of inevitable change.

So, what does Agile project management entail and how will learning Agile project management benefit your career?

In this guide, we’ll explain Agile project management and how learning the methodology can benefit your career.

What is Agile project management?

Agile project management is a customer-centric, iterative approach designed to manage projects flexibly and efficiently, ensuring project outcomes evolve in response to real-time developments.

Driven by continuous feedback and improvement, it promotes collaboration, adaptability and rapid delivery, allowing teams to respond to change quickly without sacrificing quality. It also prioritises individuals and interactions, working software and customer collaboration over rigid processes and comprehensive documentation.

This focus on adaptability and responsiveness has made Agile a preferred approach in various industries beyond its software development roots.

What are the principles of Agile project management?

The guiding principles of Agile project methodology value in-person interactions over rigid processes, working solutions over exhaustive documentation, collaboration over inflexible contacts and responding to change over following a plan. They include:

• Making customer satisfaction the highest priority
• Harnessing change as a competitive advantage and welcoming adjustments even when required in late project development
• Measuring success against progress
• Collaborating with different departments and stakeholders face-to-face as much as possible
• Empowering team members with the environment, support and autonomy they need, rather than micromanaging
• Promoting sustainable development processes and evaluation at regular intervals
• Prioritising attention to technical excellence and simplicity at every step

Can Agile be used for non-software projects?

Though its roots are in software development teams, Agile’s principles are increasingly applied in non-tech industries. Agile is now incorporated in a number of sectors such as construction, healthcare, education and marketing.

According to KPMG’s 2022 Project Management Survey, businesses across a number of industries are integrating a hybrid model of Agile project methodology with other types of approaches.

While traditional organisational structures present challenges to achieving a complete Agile overhaul, 71 per cent of businesses that adopted Agile techniques felt it improved the overall project delivery.

Why employers value Agile project management skills

Change is inevitable in any industry and how businesses respond to it is a huge determinant of whether they will sink or swim. Savvy leaders know this and want to upskill their teams accordingly.

There are a number of reasons employers value agile project management methods, including:

• Greater project control: Agile encourages regular check-ins and progress reviews, which allows for greater visibility and control throughout the project’s lifecycle.
• Adaptability to change, ability to iterate: The iterative nature of Agile means changes can be easily incorporated and projects can be more flexible.
• Drives efficiency and speed to market: Agile methodologies streamline workflows, reducing bottlenecks and accelerating the pace of delivery or completion.
• Enhanced collaboration and teamwork: Agile focuses on cross-functional collaboration, improving communication and team morale.
• Customer-centric focus: Agile keeps customer satisfaction at its core, ensuring the product or service is tailored to their needs – even if those needs change throughout the project.

Why learn Agile project management?

Agile project management methods can provide a multitude of benefits for your career, helping you develop the in-demand skills employers seek while providing opportunities to expand your job prospects and increase your earning potential.

Here are some key reasons why you should learn Agile project management:

Gain in-demand skills

Expertise in Agile methodologies was named among the top five skills of the future in 2022. As industries become more reliant on project-based work, employers increasingly seek individuals who can manage complex tasks while remaining adaptable and customer-focused.

Agile can also help project managers hone other skills, such as the ability to communicate and negotiate, stay organised, manage risks and lead well.

Expand job opportunities

The integration of Agile methodologies is not only increasing across many sectors but also proving highly effective. As a result, professionals with Agile skills are being hired in roles across industries including IT, marketing, finance, education and many more.

Potential job opportunities for project managers with Agile knowledge could include business analyst, product owner and marketing project manager.

As corporate structures adapt to meet the needs of an evolving market and Agile adoption continues to grow, job opportunities for project managers with Agile experience are likely to rise.

Increase earning potential

The project management industry is known for its high earning potential. In Australia, standard project management salaries can range from $61,000 for entry-level positions to $175,000 for more experienced roles, depending on which industry you’re in and where you’re located.

Learning Agile project management is a great way to increase your earning potential. Agile project skills don’t just make you more employable – they also make you more valuable. According to Forbes, the Agile approach is the #1 highest-paying skill for project managers in 2024.

Agile project managers can command higher salaries, with Jora.com reporting the lowest pay bracket starting at $115,000 and Salaryexpert.com reporting the average salary as $200,000.

Applicable across a range of industries

The Agile project methodology’s core values of customer-centric, iterative and collaboration-driven development are applicable across many sectors. From healthcare to finance, Agile techniques offer transferable skills that can help you thrive in almost any field.

Examples might include:

• Marketing: Agile marketing teams use sprints to develop, test and refine campaigns quickly, responding to real-time market trends, analytics, and customer feedback. This allows businesses to stay both relevant and competitive by continuously iterating on their marketing strategies.
• Healthcare: In healthcare settings, Agile techniques streamline the development of new technologies, treatment plans and patient care strategies. Teams can implement small, iterative improvements in areas like electronic health records or telemedicine services, improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
• Construction: Agile methodologies, particularly in the use of planning, are increasingly being used in construction projects to manage resources more effectively. They allow teams to respond to design changes, stakeholder feedback, or unexpected challenges such as weather issues or supply delays, without derailing the whole project.
• Education: The education sector is undergoing a number of changes and Agile is proving an effective approach to respond to them. It can be applied to curriculum development, allowing education teams to adapt learning materials to new technologies, pedagogical trends, or student needs. Agile techniques enable feedback loops that can improve course delivery and student engagement over time.
• Finance: Agile is used in the financial services industry to manage projects like software developments for new banking apps, regulatory compliance changes, or customer experience improvements. It can help financial institutions respond quickly to shifting regulations and market demands, ensuring they maintain a critical competitive advantage.

Deliver projects with purpose

If you aspire to lead change and deliver outcomes that are not only efficient but value-driven and futureproof, learning Agile project management is one of the best ways to achieve this. Agile’s flexible, iterative approach is both highly versatile and in high demand, making those who are qualified in it well positioned to land lucrative opportunities.

Southern Cross University (SCU) Online’s Master of Project Management weaves Agile management principles into its entire curriculum and has a specialised Agile unit to equip students with an in-depth understanding of the methodology’s history, roles, frameworks and applications.

You’ll learn when Agile practices are most appropriate, how to overcome its challenges and explore the rise of hybrid project management roles. Master the art of Agile to secure your future as an effective change-maker.

Whether you have prior project management experience or are looking to join the profession, SCU Online can help you reach your goals.

With SCU Online’s Master of Project Management, you will gain the critical and analytical skills you need to lead and manage high-quality projects – whatever the industry you choose to work in.

You’ll gain contemporary skills to expand your career options and you’ll have the chance to tailor your degree through electives, including accounting, business, engineering, health services and information systems.

Learn more about SCU Online’s Master of Project Management on our website or by calling 1300 863 819.