CTG at Work: Agata K.

Name: Agata K.

Company Title: Project Manager (Consultant), CTG UK

Years at CTG: 1

Hometown: Kalisz, Poland

Current City: Reading, UK

Favourite Song Right Now: Hotel California, The Eagles

Favourite thing to do outside of work: Travelling

During my time at CTG, my first project involved upgrading an application for a client. We opted for an Agile methodology to deliver the project both efficiently and effectively. Despite our preferred approach, we initially encountered some challenges, and it was evident our client needed more time to adapt to this working method. As a result, we had to temporarily put the project on hold because the client did not have their requirements ready; a fundamental pre-requisite for an Agile Project.

Once the client had confirmed their requirements, we utilised a hybrid approach, blending Agile DSDM (Dynamic System Development Method) with MoSCoW (Must, Should, Could, Won’t [have]) to prioritise the requirements. We also adopted the Scrum methodology for the project execution phase.

At first, our client questioned the necessity of our design and grooming sessions during each sprint, as well as our demo sessions. However, they came to appreciate our approach after the completion of the first sprint. By presenting our Minimal Viable Product (MVP) and gathering stakeholder feedback early and often, we successfully delivered an application that not only met its intended purpose but also enhanced the end-user experience.

Throughout these sessions, we were able to refine the project requirements by removing some initial items and adding new, essential ones that came to light during our interactions with the client. The project we delivered was on time and within budget, thanks in part to our regular retrospective sessions. These sessions enabled us to fine-tune our work and methodology with each sprint, ultimately increasing our team's velocity by rapidly eliminating minor errors.

In our project's closure meeting, our client offered excellent feedback, highlighting the numerous advantages that the Agile methodology had brought to the project, including:

• Smooth project execution
• Enhanced collaboration amongst teams
• Consistent stakeholder engagement
• Improved user experience through regular feedback
• A product that met its intended purpose due to regular MVP presentations
• Prompt identification and management of risks and issues

After completing the project, I pursued further education in Agile practices and obtained my Agile DSDM Practitioner certification. The educational experience inspired me to suggest some improvements for future Agile projects:

• Using a single methodology instead of a combination to increase efficiency
• Clearly defining roles and responsibilities and ensuring everyone on the team understands them
• Implementing a more rigorous MoSCoW prioritisation at the start of the project
• Prioritising tasks within sprints/timeboxes using MoSCoW prioritisation

Looking back, I can truly appreciate that my first project at CTG was not only a lesson in Agile methodologies but also a testament to the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement. While we faced initial challenges, our willingness to learn and adapt ultimately led to a successful project outcome and a delighted client. From a personal point of view, my recent qualification has enriched my project experience, and I look forward to applying everything I've learned in the management of future Agile projects.