Agile introduces significant changes in the way projects/products are managed. Rigid structures, detailed planning, and hierarchical approaches give way to more flexible, adaptive, and iterative methods of working.
In traditional methods like Waterfall, resource management relies on detailed planning and resource allocation at the project's outset. Projects are divided into phases, and resources are permanently assigned to specific tasks, which can lead to a lack of flexibility in responding to changing requirements.
Agile is based on an incremental approach to product management. One of the key aspects here is the iterative allocation of resources. Instead of allocating resources for the entire project at the beginning, they are allocated for short iterations. Each Sprint begins with planning, during which the team determines what tasks will be performed and what resources are needed to complete them. After the Sprint, during the Sprint Review and Retrospective, the team analyzes what was achieved, what obstacles were encountered, and how processes can be improved in the next Sprint.
This way of allocating resources allows for greater flexibility and faster response to changing requirements and priorities. It enables regular and necessary changes, allowing teams to better adapt to new circumstances and challenges.
Self-organizing and interdisciplinary teams are also an example of more optimal resource management if we conventionally define resources as competencies in this context. For instance, in Scrum, each team member can perform various functions, which increases the team's flexibility and efficiency. A developer can support a tester in conducting tests, and a tester can help a developer debug code. Such cooperation and flexibility allow for quicker responses to changing requirements and priorities. Moreover, flexible roles and tasks promote a culture of collaboration and mutual support.
One of the key aspects of the Agile approach is continuous improvement. This includes both processes and the development of skills and competencies. Great emphasis is placed on developing team members' skills and providing appropriate, regular training. Regular Retrospectives and Sprint Reviews allow teams to identify areas where additional skills are needed, such as in the implementation of new technologies, and address these needs. The team can identify that certain tools or technologies are more effective in performing tasks and propose their implementation.
