Boost Performance and Growth by Leveraging Agile & Waterfall

Posted in Execution on February 20, 2024
By Assured Strategy

Can you put Agile in your Waterfall? In a word, YES!

As a long-time business growth coach, I talk to a lot of entrepreneurs and business owners who are trying to figure out the best way to manage their projects. Two of the most widely used project management methodologies are Waterfall and Agile.

Waterfall is a traditional, sequential approach where projects are broken down into distinct phases that must be completed in order before moving on to the next phase.

Agile is a more iterative and flexible approach where projects are broken down into smaller sprints, and teams can adjust their plans based on feedback as they go.

So, which is better? Waterfall or Agile?

The answer is, it depends – and you don’t have to choose just one. Recognizing the benefits and unique qualities of each can help supercharge your project management and achieve scalable growth.

Waterfall is a great choice for projects with well-defined requirements and that don’t require a lot of flexibility. For example, building a bridge or launching a new product with a fixed deadline. Industries like construction, manufacturing and some software development rely on Waterfall models.

Agile is a good choice for projects that are more complex or where requirements are likely to change. For example, developing a new technology application or marketing a new product with an uncertain market can benefit from the Agile mindset and processes.

But what if you have a project that has some elements of both? What if you need the predictability of Waterfall but also the flexibility of Agile?

That’s where Assured Strategy comes in.

Our business coaches use a growth methodology that helps companies achieve predictable, profitable, and scalable growth. It’s based on four key pillars: People, Strategy, Systems, and Cash.

One of the key principles of business growth is BHAGs. Breaking those big hairy audacious goals down and prioritizing the actions needed to achieve them aligns with these frameworks.

So, how can you put Agile in your Waterfall?

Here are a few tips:

Break down your project/strategy into bite-sized parts. This will help you to focus on the most important things and to make sure that you are making progress on your goals.
Use sprints to execute your those parts. Sprints are short, time-boxed periods where you focus on completing a specific task or set of tasks. This will help you to stay on track and to make sure that you are delivering value on a regular basis.
Get feedback from your customers and stakeholders early and often. This will help you to identify any problems early on and to make sure that you are building something that people want.
Be flexible and adaptable. Things are going to change, so be prepared to adjust your plans as needed.

By following these tips, you can put Agile in your Waterfall and create a project management methodology that is both predictable and flexible.

Want to learn more about how Assured Strategy can help you grow your business?

We can help you assess your current business model, identify your BHAGs, and develop a plan to achieve them.

In addition to the tips above, here are a few other things to keep in mind:

Growth is not a one-size-fits-all solution. What works for one company may not work for another.
It takes time and effort to implement meaningful change. Don’t expect to see results overnight.
But if you are committed to growing your business, you don’t have to do it alone.

Phone: (702) 421-3212

Email: [email protected]

Assured Strategy is a Business Strategy Coaching Firm that focuses on Strategic Coaching, Executive Coaching, Performance Coaching, and Leadership Training throughout North America with the experience to help companies succeed and grow. Assured Strategy’s coaches educate and mentor CEOs and executive teams in people, strategy, execution, cash, leadership and team building, and the company has represented more than 280 businesses. Assured Strategy offers business strategy coaching, workshops, webinars, leadership groups, employee assessments, and business process improvement services to empower its clients to think strategically and effectively execute their business objectives. For more information, browse our website or call (817) 400-0028.

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