Agile vs Agility

Project Community, Effective Leadership in the Stakeholder Era

Aug 10, 2024

Read on LinkedIn / Read time: 4 minutes

Welcome to The Agie Admiral weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing Project Management career

Today at a Glance:

☝️ Agile vs Agility

💡 A.C.T.I.O.N. framework

🎰 Effective Leadership in the Stakeholder Era: Best Practices

🔍 Project Community

Agile vs Agility

Agile:

Definition: Agile is a specific methodology and framework for managing projects, particularly in software development. It emphasizes iterative development, where requirements and solutions evolve through collaborative effort.

Principles: Agile is guided by the Agile Manifesto, which values individuals and interactions, working software, customer collaboration, and responding to change over following a plan.
Practices: Involves specific practices like sprints, daily stand-ups, and retrospective meetings to ensure continuous improvement and adaptive planning.

Agility:

Definition: Agility refers to the broader capability of an organization or team to quickly respond to changes, adapt to new conditions, and maintain flexibility. It’s about being nimble and proactive in the face of evolving circumstances.
Scope: Agility is not limited to project management; it encompasses organizational culture, processes, and the mindset of employees at all levels.
Application: Agility can be applied across various domains, including strategic planning, operations, and human resources. It’s about fostering an environment where continuous learning and adaptation are ingrained in the organizational DNA.
Outcome: Achieving agility means an organization can pivot rapidly when market conditions change, respond effectively to customer feedback, and innovate consistently.

In essence, Agile is a methodology with specific frameworks and practices used to manage projects, primarily in software development. Agility, on the other hand, is a broader attribute of an organization or team that enables it to be flexible, responsive, and adaptive in any context.

To illustrate with an example:

Agile: A software development team using the Scrum framework to manage their project in two-week sprints, holding daily stand-ups, and conducting sprint retrospectives to continually improve their processes.
Agility: An entire IT organization that can swiftly shift its strategic priorities in response to market changes, quickly adopt new technologies, and continuously innovate while maintaining high employee morale and customer satisfaction.

One more.

Agile Leadership vs Agility in Leadership

Scope of Influence:
- Agile Leadership: Primarily focused on guiding teams within the confines of agile frameworks to ensure effective project delivery.
- Leadership Agility: Extends beyond project management to influence the entire organization’s ability to adapt and thrive in changing environments.
Mindset and Culture:
- Agile Leadership: Cultivates an environment where agile practices can be effectively implemented, promoting team-level collaboration and iterative progress.
- Leadership Agility: Fosters an organizational culture that embraces change, encourages innovation, and supports continuous learning and development.
Strategy and Execution:
- Agile Leadership: Ensures that agile methodologies are correctly applied to achieve project goals, emphasizing short-term iterations and feedback loops.
- Leadership Agility: Focuses on long-term strategic adaptability, enabling the organization to respond swiftly to market shifts, technological advancements, and evolving customer needs.

A.C.T.I.O.N. framework by Justin Bateh

Effective Leadership in the Stakeholder Era: Best Practices

by The PM Newsletter

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, leadership dynamics are shifting. We are moving away from a shareholder-centric model to a more inclusive stakeholder approach. This transformation necessitates leaders who can balance the needs of all stakeholders — including employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and shareholders. Here's an in-depth exploration of how to lead effectively in the stakeholder era.

Key Drivers of the Stakeholder Era

1. Social and Environmental Awareness: Increasing awareness of social justice issues and environmental sustainability has pushed companies to adopt more responsible practices.
2. Regulatory Changes: Governments and regulatory bodies are imposing stricter guidelines on corporate governance, transparency, and environmental practices.
3. Consumer Expectations: Modern consumers are more informed and demand ethical behavior and transparency from businesses.
4. Employee Advocacy: Employees seek purpose-driven workplaces where their contributions are valued and align with their personal values.
5. Technological Advances: Technology enables greater transparency and accountability, making it easier for stakeholders to scrutinize business practices.