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Agile project managers are one of the primary vital players determining the success of any Agile project. These managers oversee and manage the whole project, ensuring effective team collaboration in the Agile environment. In a broader sense, these managers see to it that the job gets done by everyone involved in an agile project.
In this blog post, we'll review who an agile project manager is, their various roles and responsibilities, and their qualifications.
An Agile project manager oversees and guides the entire project lifecycle of an Agile project. Their main job is to help agile project teams work together effectively and adapt to changes in the project. They are crucial in managing project tasks, planning sprints, tracking project progress, and improving continuously to ensure that agile teams deliver quality solutions.
Agile project managers are good at creating a team-friendly atmosphere, collaborating with all stakeholders, and communicating project details. They focus on being flexible, adapting to changes, and delivering value step by step. Agile project managers ensure that Agile principles are applied well, achieving successful project outcomes and meeting customer needs.
Agile project managers have multiple roles and responsibilities. These roles may vary depending on the specific Agile framework, experience level and the development team they work with. Below are the different Agile project manager roles:
Leading the whole team to success is one of the significant roles of an Agile Project Manager. They empower and motivate team members, create a positive work environment, and address conflicts as they arise. They are also responsible for leading and facilitating important Agile ceremonies, such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
This includes ensuring transparent and efficient communication to inform stakeholders about project progress and any changes. The manager also fosters a culture of collaboration, especially among cross-functional teams.
Agile project managers are great planners and organisers. They collaborate with the team to plan and prioritise goals so that all efforts align with project objectives. Additionally, the manager contributes to release planning so that the delivery of increments and features is always on time.
Agile managers also ensure that the whole solution development team adheres to Agile methodology, principles and practices for continuous improvement. The Agile project manager removes impediments, facilitating ceremonies, and coaching the team on Agile practices.
This particular role involves identifying and assessing risks associated with project delivery. The manager proactively addresses issues and impediments hindering the team's progress.
The Agile project manager uses relevant Agile metrics like velocity and burn-down charts to track and measure team performance. The project manager then provides transparent and regular project status updates to stakeholders.
The Agile project manager champions continuous improvement, leading sprint retrospectives to reflect on team performance and identify areas for enhancement. The manager encourages a culture of continuous improvement within the team, implementing lessons learned from retrospectives to refine and optimise processes.
Agile project managers implement and maintain high-quality standards throughout the Agile project. This involves coordinating with the testing team to ensure thorough testing of deliverables before release.
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Here are the basic responsibilities of an Agile project manager:
Establish the timelines and budget of the project.
Keep the project backlog in check by ensuring it aligns with the business's wants and prioritising things based on customers' needs.
Help the team plan their work during sprint planning meetings and make sure everyone is on board with what they're committing to.
Create a friendly and collaborative team environment where everyone talks openly, works together, and figures out how to organise themselves.
Encourage the team to continually improve by looking back at what they've done, figuring out what can be improved, and trying new ideas.
Keep an eye out for potential problems. You need superior critical thinking capabilities to solve problems before they escalate.
Talk to the stakeholders, like product owners and users, to get their thoughts, refine what needs to be done, and ensure everyone's on the same page.
Keep tabs on how the project is going by tracking things like the team's progress, team speed, and other vital signs.
Step in when there's a disagreement, sort things out and ensure the team stays positive and focused.
Make sure the team delivers something valuable by the end of each sprint, meeting quality standards and what the customers want.
Share what's going on with the project, whether accomplishments, problems, or things slowing the team down, so everyone stays in the loop.
In order to be a successful Agile project manager, you need to have the following essential skills:
Strong and excellent communication skills to effectively interact with team members and stakeholders and facilitate collaboration.
Leadership skills to guide and motivate teams, resolve conflicts, and promote a positive work environment.
Ability to identify and address project challenges, apply critical thinking to find solutions, and make decisions that align with Agile principles.
Capability to adapt to changing project requirements and priorities. Agile project managers should be flexible in adjusting plans and strategies.
Familiarity with Agile project management tools and techniques, such as backlog management tools, collaboration platforms, and metrics tracking.
A commitment to continuous learning and staying updated on evolving Agile practices, methodologies, workflow, and industry trends.
Understanding and application of quality management principles within an Agile context.
Wondering how to become a certified Agile project manager? Start by getting an Agile certification through e-Careers. Regardless of whether you have no prior experience or are involved in Agile projects, e-Careers provide you with all the necessary training according to your level.
We provide beginner-friendly courses like APMG AgilePM® Foundation and Practitioner, PRINCE2® Agile Foundation and Practitioner, and BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in Agile Scrum. If you want to leverage and become a scrum master or project manager, we also offer advanced training in BCS EXIN Agile Scrum Master, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Course, and Project Management Professional (PMI).
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What is the salary range of an agile project manager?
Agile Project Managers earn anywhere from £40K to £63K annually (source: glassdoor ). However, it is important to note that freelance or contract project managers earn more (on a daily basis) than permanent project managers. The average daily rate for contractors is £400 - £700. This can vary still on experience, certifications, location, industry, and the specific role.
What certifications are required to become an agile project manager?
If you're an aspiring Agile team leader, you can take AgilePM Foundation (APMG). PRINCE2 Agile® is the best choice for veteran project managers who want to leverage. As for Agile product owners, you can enrol on the BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Master course.
What is the difference between a project manager and an agile project manager?
A traditional Project Manager's role follows a linear, plan-driven approach, while an Agile Project Manager embraces flexibility and iterative methods. The main distinction for an Agile Project Manager lies in working closely with teams, adapting to change, and using Agile methodologies like Scrum or Kanban.
What are some of the most common project manager agile certifications?
Widely recognised certifications include BCS EXIN Practitioner Certificate in Agile Scrum Master, AgilePM Foundation (APMG), PRINCE2 Agile®, BCS EXIN Foundation Certificate in Agile Scrum, Agile Programme Management (AgilePgM®), and Agile Project Management (AgilePM®). All of these are offered here at e-Careers.
What are the jobs in agile project management?
If you want to enter Agile Project Management, you can work as a Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Product Owner, Project Lead, Delivery Manager, and specific SAFe roles like Release Train Engineer (RTE) or Agile Release Manager. These jobs have different salary ranges and qualifications.
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