They can’t mix, can they?

Seems like a contradiction to talk about classical project management and the best agile software development methodology ?

But let me ask you this: ever feel like traditional project management is great for mapping out the big picture but falls short when it comes to the nitty-gritty of execution?

And conversely, while Scrum is fantastic for rapid iteration and delivering value quickly, it sometimes lacks that long-term strategic view?

If you feel this, then you’re not alone!

Yes, they can mix

Let’s talk about how to get the best of both worlds when managing projects: having a solid long-term plan and the flexibility to adapt and deliver quickly.

Sometimes it feels like traditional project management is great for the big picture but not so hot on the details, right?

And Scrum is awesome for getting stuff done in short bursts, but can sometimes lose sight of the overall direction.

Turns out, a lot of teams are finding a sweet spot by mixing these two. Think of it like having a good map for your road trip and a sturdy vehicle to handle any bumps along the way.

So, what does each approach bring to the party?

Classical Project Management: The Grand Plan

Imagine classical project management as your strategic guide. It’s all about figuring out the project’s scope, setting those long-term goals, marking important milestones, and creating a project plan.

We’re talking budget, resources, timeline – the whole thing.

It’s about answering the big questions:

• What are we trying to do?
• When does it need to be finished?
• How much will it cost?
• Who’s in charge of what?

This is great for having a clear vision and a roadmap. It helps everyone stay on the same page and lets you track progress.

The tricky part? Sometimes those detailed plans can go out of date pretty fast. Because things change, right?

 

Scrum: Getting Things Done

Now, Scrum is your agile friend. It’s built for doing things in short bursts, perfect for navigating the twists and turns of, well, pretty much any project.

You break the project into smaller chunks – sprints – usually 2 weeks long. Each sprint has specific goals, and the team works together to deliver something useful by the end.

Scrum is all about talking to each other a lot, having quick daily meetings, and checking in regularly. It’s about being flexible and delivering value bit by bit.

Scrum is great at handling feedback, adding new stuff, and showing real results quickly.

The thing is, on its own, Scrum might need that long-term direction that classical project management provides.

The Perfect Mix: Working Together, Delivering Fast

The magic happens when you put these two together:

• You use classical project management to set the long-term vision, make the initial plan, and decide where you’re going. This gives you a good map.
• Use Scrum to actually get there, one sprint at a time. Scrum becomes your engine for delivering value along the route laid out by classical project management.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

1. Big Picture: Classical project management sets the overall project scope, goals, and timeline. Everyone knows what the target is.

2. Breaking it Down: The project gets broken down into smaller pieces, often using the classical project management approach. This makes the work manageable.

3. Sprint Time: The Scrum team takes a chunk of work and plans it out for a sprint. They figure out what they can realistically do in that time.

4. Daily Check-ins: The team has quick daily meetings to talk about progress, any problems, and adjust as needed. Keeps everyone in sync.

5. Show and Tell: At the end of each sprint, the team shows what they’ve built and gets feedback. This feedback helps plan future sprints.

6. Getting Better: Regular team meetings let everyone think about how they’re working and find ways to improve.

So, by mixing classical project management and Scrum, you get the best of both worlds. You have a clear long-term plan and the flexibility to adapt and deliver quickly. It’s a great way to work together, deliver fast, and make sure projects stay on track while being able to handle whatever comes up.

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