Is agility overrated? Why agile approaches are not always the solution

Agile working methods have been extremely popular for years in projects of all sizes. However, the incorrect application of agility can actually make projects inefficient and lead to frustration among those involved. So how can you identify the right approach? When is classic project management more suitable – and how can you still benefit from agile principles? An interesting development in recent years shows that the use of agile methods is declining in many companies. According to a study by the Standish Group Chaos Report, the number of agile projects in some industries has stagnated or even declined. Reasons for this include the high training costs, cultural challenges, and the need for clear goal definition for certain types of projects.

Why agile project management is not always the best choice 

Being agile means responding flexibly to new requirements and delivering results step by step. This approach is ideal for projects with a high degree of uncertainty or dynamic conditions, such as software development. However, there are scenarios in which agility does more harm than good. 

1. Clearly defined requirements:
Projects where the requirements are stable and clear from the outset often do not benefit from agile methods. In these cases, classic project management with a clear schedule and fixed milestones is often more efficient. 

2. Regulatory requirements:
Industries with strict compliance requirements (such as banking and healthcare) require comprehensive planning and documentation. Working in an agile manner can lead to conflicts with regulatory requirements in such contexts. 

3. High coordination effort:
When many departments or external partners are involved, an agile approach can stall due to the high level of coordination required. A structured, centrally coordinated approach is often more effective in such cases. 

4. Lack of an agile mindset:
Agility requires a certain corporate culture. If teams and managers are unwilling or unable to work independently and flexibly, agile projects will fail. 

Why a hybrid project management approach can be the solution 

The answer to the question of whether a project should be managed using agile or traditional methods does not have to be binary. A hybrid approach combines the best of both worlds and offers a practical solution:

1. Combination of traditional and agile elements:
For example, a project can be managed traditionally in the conception phase and with agile elements in the implementation phase. This creates a solid planning basis without losing flexibility in implementation.

2. Agile islands:
In large projects, it can make sense to organize individual subprojects in an agile way, while the overall project is coordinated using traditional methods. 

3. Agile principles without agile methods:
Even if you’re managing a project in a traditional way, you can still implement some agile principles – such as iterative feedback loops, close collaboration with the customer, and an open communication culture. 

Checklist: When to use agile and when to choose classic 

To select the right methodology for a project, we recommend that you answer the following questions: 

• Are the requirements stable or dynamic?
• Are there strict regulatory requirements?
• How much coordination is required between the parties involved? 
• Does the team have an agile mindset? 
• How important is flexibility compared to planning reliability? 
  
  

Does every project need agile methods? 

Agile does not necessarily mean better. Successfully managing projects means finding the right method for the relevant requirements and framework conditions. Blindly opting for agile methods can be just as harmful as stubbornly sticking to traditional approaches. The future lies in a conscious and flexible approach to both areas – because agility is not dead, but must be further developed in order to meet the complex requirements of modern projects.