By now, you should have a good grasp of the basic digital methodologies used in business. But first, you must understand your customers, and to do that, you need to gather and interpret data. Did you think you could just keep doing what you’ve always done? Of course not! Adapting to the VUCA world means constantly challenging assumptions and testing your product, so you can keep learning and improving.</p>
Know the Differences Between Agile and Traditional Methods
Have you heard of the waterfall methodology?
Though you may not have known it, there’s a good chance you’ve already used the waterfall approach to work, which is still used in most companies. But it’s not the only methodology out there. Many are using the agile approach without knowing it either.
What is the waterfall methodology?
The waterfall methodology is a linear and sequential approach to all the phases and tasks of a project that must be done to deliver the project.
Going back to the wellness class example: a waterfall approach might look like this (in chronological order):
Design your class: Define the concept of the “wellness class” you want to offer—class goals, target audience, theme, atmosphere, schedule, services, etc.
Implement a class prototype: Integrate the elements you’ve visualized—duration, class outline, playlists, etc.
Plan your class down to the smallest detail: (The large-scale version of your wellness class prototype). Determine the exact length of each sequence, write a script for everything you teach during the class, etc.
Once this cycle is complete, test the product with your customers (in this case, your colleagues).
In this scenario, you’ll put in considerable effort over a long period before testing your first classes with actual students.
But what if the test with my colleagues is a disaster? 😨
You’ll have to start all over again!
Frustrating, and also very costly and time-consuming.
OK, but how can I avoid that much waste of time?
Use the agile method!
First, create a quick prototype of your class.
Then test your prototype with a small group of friends or regular customers. They will be your beta testers. This test will let you gather a lot of data based on your own experience (e.g., you'll learn to prepare the room and test equipment before starting each class, or to improve on internal signage that leads to the room, etc.), and especially those of your future users.
Integrate that feedback into a new version of your prototype and test it again.
Repeat this until you’ve developed a version that best suits your target audience. You are now ready to launch! This is called the continuous improvement approach.
Is it possible to be agile without applying the agile methodology?
The agile method was originally created for software development. This project management approach defines processes, roles, rituals, and timelines with extreme precision.
It was invented by 17 software developers who wrote an Agile Manifesto based on four core values:
Individuals and their interactions over processes and tools
Working software over comprehensive documentation
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation
Responding to change over following a plan
You can find these values, or some version of them, in many other project management methodologies, such as design thinking.
Practice Continuous Improvement
You might think you have “arrived at your destination” once you’ve launched a product. Not so fast! The process of refining your product is potentially infinite. It’s a journey that never ends thanks to the principle of continuous improvement, which is at the core of agile methodologies. You stop being agile the minute you stop improving your development process from one version to the next. The context around a business or a project is constantly changing, and the development process should do the same.
Rest assured: The hardest part is adopting the methodology. But, after that, change becomes more natural and painless since you’re making a series of small changes rather than going back to the beginning. This approach benefits both the company and the individuals within it.
In the wellness class example, you could prototype and test each of these elements at different stages of development:
The “on paper” version of the wellness course: a short presentation of your concept.
An outline of the content of your course.
A breakdown of the sequences you’ll do in each session.
And so on until you have a complete course, that’s nearly finalized!
You may think yoga 🤸♀️ vs. meditation 🧘 is a simple enough decision that you can skip all this work. It’s not. I deliberately chose a simple, non-digital scenario to make it more accessible and relatable.
Now let’s imagine a project on a bigger scale.
For example, what if you were launching a digital platform for booking wellness classes instead of teaching classes at your company? These methods will make a difference when you want to quickly launch a basic service that will meet your target audience’s needs.
Apply the Principles of Agility to all Your Projects and Continue to Improve
You’ve now started teaching your yoga classes.
But agility means you don’t stop there and never change anything again. Instead, focus on continuous development and regularly look for things to improve: perhaps a different schedule? More classes? Outdoor classes? Two-day intensives? Acrobatic yoga? Prenatal yoga?
Never Stop Testing and Learning
Try introducing something new each month—then you can test how successful it is and keep the things that work best.
Why? Because when you make frequent small changes instead of overhauling everything at once, you get specific feedback on each change you make, and then you’ll have a product that will make your users happier.
Learn More on Your Own
We’ve reached the end of this course! I’m delighted to give you the keys to decrypting these changes taking place in our workplaces.
I hope that now you’ve gotten a taste, you’ll be eager to go off on your own and explore these new ways of working.
If you want to learn more, here are some resources you can use to deepen your knowledge on the topics you saw in this second part of the course:
Are you curious to know a little more?
a. Explore the different types of agile methodology in this overview from the Agile Alliance.
b. Discover new approaches to the customer experience in this explainer from Salesforce.com on the topic.
c. Learn about the impacts of data and AI on jobs and life starting with this article from Forbes.
d. Here is the view of multiple experts on the real future of work in this Podcast from Mouthwash.Do you want to further your education?
a. Start from a solid foundation by taking the Learn How to Learn course.
b. Think about developing your soft skills.
c. Learn the basics of design thinking with one of the most viewed courses on our platform.
d. Become a data visualization pro by learning how to create dashboards with PowerBI or Excel.
e. Finally, learn about agile project management in the first part of this course.Do you feel so passionate about this topic that you’re planning to go even further and take a diploma training program? Well, you’re in luck because that’s our specialty!
a. Digital Transformation Fundamentals, a program that includes a hands-on project.
b. Are you interested in a career in data? Explore our training paths to become a Data Analyst or AI Engineer.
c. If you enjoy managing projects and working with people, our Digital Project Manager path can open doors for you.
Let’s Recap!
The waterfall methodology for project management is still widely used in business. It’s a linear and sequential approach to all the phases and tasks that must be done to deliver the project.
Agile methodologies first emerged in the field of software development. They offer a more flexible approach in which small portions of a solution are delivered quickly rather than waiting for a fully-fledged and operational product.
In the agile approach, this is called iteration: a short period during which a series of phases of work is developed and tested, ending with a delivery so the project can move forward.
That’s a Wrap! 🎬
That’s it! All you have left to do now is take the quiz, and you’ll be finished with this course. I hope I’ve given you the keys to understanding our new digital world.
More than that, I hope you feel inspired to try at least one of the methods we've discussed in this course, and apply them to your own context.
And I hope your curiosity is piqued to go beyond the “four-letter words” of tech. Now I know you won’t be afraid to go out and meet your customers or set up useful indicators to help inform your decisions!
By learning the essentials, you’ve taken the first crucial step to make digital your ally.
Great job on finishing the course! It's been my pleasure to guide you.
