Agile methodology

How to turn change into an opportunity

Work environments are constantly evolving. This volatility makes the ability to adapt to change a differentiating factor. So much so that this adaptability is key to the success of any project in companies across all types of sectors.

The agile methodology advocates an approach based on flexibility and immediate response as pillars to face the complexities of today's work environment. From there, one of the most popular project management methodologies of the last few decades is derived.

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What are agile methodologies?

The agile methodology starts from the idea that change is natural in everything we do. Instead of resisting it, it is embraced and used as a competitive advantage. It is, therefore, a work system or set of project management techniques focused on flexibility and adaptability. Work is organized and distributed among different multidisciplinary teams, an approach that allows organizations to be faster and respond more efficiently to their clients' needs.

To understand what agile methodologies are, it is interesting to know where they came from. Although there are different accounts of exactly when they emerged, it was not until 2001 when 17 software development experts gathered at the Snowbird ski resort in the mountains of Utah (USA) and signed the Agile Manifesto. The document coined the term for the first time and, as opposed to traditional models - which followed excessively rigid structures and linear processes, far removed from the real needs of clients - advocated for four fundamental values that today inspire the main project management methodologies and, in addition, laid the foundations of the agile methodology itself.

The importance of people and their interactions with processes and tools. Working software versus exhaustive documentation. Collaboration with the client throughout the process. And finally, adaptability or the ability to respond to changes and unforeseen events. These four keys were the starting point of the agile methodology, a philosophy that although it took its first steps in the software world, after more than two decades of development, has proven its success in the application to projects of all kinds.

Advantages of the agile methodology

The ability to respond quickly to changes in project requirements, prioritizing collaboration, constant communication, and progressive or incremental delivery is at the heart of the agile methodology. This paradigm shift involves breaking away from the rigidity of traditional approaches and adopting a more pragmatic view that fits the dynamics of today's work environment while providing a number of benefits to the process.

Adaptability to working conditions

One of the main advantages of the agile methodology lies in its adaptability to real-time working conditions. As demands and priorities change, agile teams can adjust their approach efficiently, maintaining quality and efficiency at every stage of the project, which often translates into greater client satisfaction.

Flexibility and agility

Flexibility is another pillar of the agile methodology. Agile teams can reorganize their tasks and priorities according to the changing needs of the project. This flexibility allows an immediate response to the challenges of rearranging priorities or finding errors, resulting in greater efficiency when faced with unforeseen situations.

Continuous improvement

Another advantage of these project management methodologies is the focus on continuous improvement. Through constant feedback and reflection after each iteration of the project, agile teams have the opportunity to learn from their experiences and apply adjustments to optimize their performance. This cycle of continuous improvement contributes to the ongoing evolution of the project and ensures that it is working as effectively as possible.

Tandem strength: team-client

Transparency is present in every project that applies an agile methodology, and close interaction between the team and the client is a constant. The latter can participate in the development of the project and know the results in a simpler way at any time.

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The 12 principles of agile methodology at work

Putting people and interactions above processes and tools, working software instead of exhaustive documentation, maintaining collaboration with the client throughout the process, and showing adaptability to changes and unforeseen events are the four values that inspire the Agile methodology.

But these pillars are developed through a set of principles that act as a guide for managing projects in a flexible, autonomous, and effective way and that have practical application beyond the world of software development:

Prioritize client satisfaction. It's about putting client needs at the center of decisions and making early and valuable deliveries.
Accept changes even at late stages. Adapting to changes in project requirements, even when the project is already underway, can provide a competitive advantage.
Make frequent deliveries of functional results. Deliveries in short time periods allow for early and continuous feedback.
Maintain constant and collaborative communication with stakeholders, including the client and team members.
A motivated team is key to building a project. Providing the necessary environment and support as well as trust in the team members is fundamental to the project's success.
Use face-to-face dialogue. It is the most effective way to convey information and resolve any situation.
The tangible and functional result is the primary measure of progress.
Maintain a sustainable pace. A constant and sustainable pace of work must be encouraged throughout the project, avoiding team burnout.
Continuous focus on technical excellence and good design. Prioritizing the quality of technical work and design improves agility.
Simplicity, or the ability to maximize efficiency by reducing the amount of unnecessary work, is essential in any type of project.
Self-organized teams. Facilitating the autonomy and self-organization of teams, allowing them to make efficient decisions and adapt to changes without relying on rigid hierarchies is key.
Regular reflection and continuous adjustment. Regular review and reflection on the work done allows for the identification of opportunities for improvement and continuous adjustment.

In a company like Repsol, the application of these principles and, in short, of the Agile methodology, makes it possible to develop digital projects committed to the energy transition. The improvement of efficiency in plants or refineries, thanks to software that today multiply their computational and predictive capacity, is a good example. However, the application of these project management methodologies is also evident in the new ways of working and professional profiles that allow the company to develop the values that inspire the agile philosophy.

In short, agile methodology has transformed the way we approach project management in the work environment with an approach based on adaptability, collaboration, and incremental delivery.

Repsol's digital transformation project highlights how the application of project management methodologies that place people and not the environment at the center translates into flexible, collaborative, and client-oriented organizations. “To extract the maximum potential from our efforts, it is necessary to combine the digital change with a cultural change throughout the organization,” explains Valero Marín, now executive managing director of Client and member of the Executive Committee.