Agile methodologies for SMEs

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One day, you're walking down the street and suddenly you overhear someone else's conversation: "Yes, well, in my company we're using the agile methodology ." And you're shocked! And I won't tell you more, if that person refers to the word in question as the " agile " methodology (I swear I've heard it), or lets out an " ayail " (in English) because it sounds more professional. Yes, very well, we all want to be agile at work, but what does it refer to? The agile methodology, as its name indicates, is a method designed to make project development tasks simpler, saving time and also money. Initially it was designed to develop software projects, since they are complex projects that require a great deal of planning . However, it is possible to use an agile methodology for SMEs in other sectors. In this post I'm dental email database lists going to give you an example of how the agile methodology can be adopted in SMEs without needing to be a software development company.



Once upon a time..: the origin of the Agile methodology
Before using the agile methodology in your SME you have to have a clear understanding of the basics of its philosophy.

Already in the last century, Toyota used something similar to the agile methodology in its car production systems (what do you say!). At that time, what is known as Lean Manufacturing was forged , that is, eliminating unnecessary tasks and optimizing time, which we all know is GOLD and more so in business.

These techniques for saving time and costs were transferred to other sectors such as software development. The complexity of their projects gave rise to the search for techniques to improve planning and deliver projects to the client on time .

To capture this idea and the path to follow, in 2001 17 top developers met in Utah and shaped their Agile Manifesto .
It established a theoretical framework for work with four values ​​and 12 principles.

And what are these values ​​that the Agile Methodology defends?
These four values ​​can be summarized in the following sentences:

Individuals First!:
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools: processes help in the company's strategy and serve as a guide, however we must value human talent above these processes. Because in the face of a changing environment, we need human wisdom to adapt these processes.

Forget about paperwork!
Software (or project) running on excessive documentation: How many times have we spent too much time in thoroughly documenting a project? We try to anticipate all the problems and that is impossible. Yes, it is correct to have a first prototype that lays the foundations of what we are going to do, but do not waste all your energy in detailing it to the millimeter, since when faced with unexpected changes we will work twice. Sometimes it is very healthy to see how your processes are behaving beforehand and it is enriching, since it generates ideas that a priori were impossible to conceive.

The client is one more member of the team!:
Collaboration with the client on contractual negotiation: The contract is a framework that defines responsibilities, but let's not be rigid and try to collaborate with our client to reach a successful conclusion.

Please, no, straight away!:
Values ​​response to change over following the established plan. Anticipation and adaptation are the basic principles of agile management as opposed to the excessive planning and control of traditional project management to avoid deviations from the plan.