How to Become Agile

Let’s get this out in the open right now.

“Agile” isn’t something you just wake up and do. It involves more than simply telling yourself, “I’m going to be ‘agile’ today.”

The truth is, most people — and organizations — don’t truly understand what “being agile” really involves. Being agile is a transformation.

In this article, we will define what agile actually is and how organizations can become agile.

What is Agile?

In short, being “agile” is the ability to understand, adapt, and change quickly in an ever-evolving environment.

Agile is a Mindset

I tell my clients that agile isn’t something you do but rather a mindset that must be adopted by all in an organization. Agile practices must be rooted within an organization’s culture, values, and principles and implemented across all operations.

Below is an image that illustrates the agile mindset from The Agile Practice Guide by the Project Management Institute (PMI):

Being “agile” is more than just a buzzword today; it’s a methodology that enables organizations to embrace change, become more adaptive, and maintain a competitive advantage. In short, agile is the ability to understand, adapt, and change quickly in an ever-evolving environment.

Regarding project management, if you ask many project managers what they think about the agile methodology, many would describe it as “chaos”. Although managing agile projects requires a different management approach, it is possible to successfully deliver an agile project.

Adopting the agile methodology can yield the following benefits:

• Reduce waste
• Build resiliency
• Boost innovation
• Maintain a competitive edge
• Respond to change
• Increase productivity
• Improve team collaboration
• Adopt new ways of thinking and working

The 4 Values of the…