Steven Deneir’s Post

Many of us in project management encounter the choice between two popular methodologies: Waterfall and Agile. Both have their unique strengths and challenges, making it important to get familiar with both to see what fits best for your projects. Waterfall offers a structured approach, where each phase is completed sequentially. Its strengths lie in clear documentation and defined requirements, ensuring everyone is aligned from the outset. This can help new team members onboard quickly and allows for better budget and timeline management. However, the downside? It can struggle when requirements evolve, leading to potential misalignments and costly changes late in the process. On the flip side, Agile embraces flexibility and responsiveness. It allows teams to iterate rapidly and incorporate stakeholder feedback throughout the project. The collaborative spirit often leads to higher customer satisfaction, as the product evolves with user input. Yet, it can sometimes lack comprehensive documentation, which complicates onboarding and tracking. A balanced approach that combines the clarity of Waterfall with the adaptability of Agile might just be the way forward. Start with a Waterfall outline for core requirements to set expectations, then switch to Agile sprints for development, allowing for adjustments and refinements. To implement this mix: define your project’s overall scope and milestones with Waterfall, but stay open to feedback during development through Agile methods. This way, you gain clarity while keeping the flexibility to adapt along the way. How have you balanced different methodologies in your projects? Would love to hear your experiences! 😊

‎Thinking about certifications? You’ve probably heard that PMs with the right certs earn more, get faster promotions, and open doors to bigger opportunities. But which certification actually fits your career goals, and your current experience level? ‎ ‎Let’s break it down: ‎ ‎𝗖𝗔𝗣𝗠 (𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁) ‎ ‎𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Aspiring project managers or beginners who want to understand PM fundamentals. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱: Minimal, perfect for those just starting. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆: Low to moderate. ‎ ‎𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀: Junior PM, project coordinator, PM assistant. ‎ ‎𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Teaches the basics of project management frameworks, boosts credibility, and gives a strong foundation to grow from. It’s like learning the ropes before climbing the ladder. ‎ ‎𝗣𝗠𝗣 (𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹) ‎ ‎𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Experienced PMs ready to lead projects and influence business outcomes. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱: Usually 3–5 years managing projects. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆: High. ‎ ‎𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀: Project manager, PMO lead, program manager, senior project coordinator. ‎ ‎𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: PMP elevates your authority, demonstrates mastery of PM principles, and can significantly increase earning potential. It signals that you’re ready to handle complex projects and lead teams with confidence. ‎𝗦𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 (𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱) ‎ ‎𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿: PMs working in Agile or software-driven environments who want to facilitate team success. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱: Some Agile experience recommended. ‎ ‎𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆: Moderate. ‎ ‎𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀: Scrum Master, Agile coach, Agile project manager. ‎ ‎𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Strengthens team collaboration, improves Agile adoption, and hones facilitation skills. You become the person who helps teams deliver faster while removing blockers. ‎ ‎Each certification serves a different purpose. CAPM lays your foundation. PMP proves your leadership and expertise. Scrum Master hones your Agile skills. The best cert for you depends on your career stage, your environment, and what kind of PM you want to be. ‎ ‎This weekend, take a few minutes to reflect: Which path aligns with your growth, and which certification could move you closer to where you want to be next year? Don’t just chase letters, chase the skills and credibility that will actually matter in your projects. ‎ ‎----------------------------------------------- ‎ ‎𝙋.𝙎: 𝙈𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙪𝙚𝙡 𝙅𝙤𝙝𝙣 𝙉𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙬𝙤. ‎𝙄 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙚𝙘𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚, 𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙪𝙙𝙜𝙚𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣. ‎𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨? ‎📩 𝙎𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝘿𝙈 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮.

Ever been caught in a whirlwind of project deadlines and uncertainty? 🤔 It’s a common scenario for many of us in project management. Recently, I read an article that breaks down various project management methodologies, and it really resonated with me. Understanding the difference between Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, and other frameworks can feel like a superpower in our chaotic work environments. Each methodology has its strengths and weaknesses, and selecting the right one is crucial for a successful project outcome. For example, Agile is all about flexibility and embracing change, while Waterfall offers a structured approach when the path is clear. I remember leading a team through a project where we struggled with scope changes. By shifting to Agile, we learned to adapt on the fly and keep our clients engaged every step of the way. It was eye-opening to see how my approach needed to evolve based on the project requirements. The takeaway? Choosing the right methodology can make all the difference in project management success! What experiences do you have with different methodologies? Have you found one that works best for you? https://lnkd.in/ghQuU_8b

Day 3 of My 90-Day Growth Journey in IT Project Management Temidayo Adeoye, MBA, PMP®, CSM®, CSPO® and Stanix Consult Today, my focus was on Agile Product Delivery and Scrum practices and it’s becoming clear why Agile has become the gold standard in IT project management. At its core, Agile Product Delivery is about breaking work into short, iterative cycles where teams deliver small but usable increments of value. Instead of waiting months or sometimes years for a finished product, Agile allows customers and stakeholders to see progress early, provide feedback, and influence the direction before it’s too late. This approach is guided by the four core values of the Agile mindset: 1. Individuals and interactions over tools and processes 2. Working software over comprehensive documentation 3. Customer collaboration over contract negotiation 4. Responding to change over following a rigid plan These values shift the focus from bureaucracy and paperwork to people, outcomes, and adaptability. The Delivery Link: Agile + Sprints If Agile Product Delivery is the big-picture philosophy, sprints are the tactical heartbeat of how it works. A sprint is a time-boxed iteration (usually 2–4 weeks) where teams commit to delivering a usable product increment. Each sprint creates opportunities for feedback, learning, and course correction. Sprints enable: a. Continuous customer feedback b. Adaptive planning when priorities shift c. Regular delivery of value in small increments d. Reduced risk by avoiding “big-bang” failures In simple terms: Agile sets the vision. Sprints make it real. The Scrum Sprint Cycle Scrum, the most popular Agile framework, gives structure to how sprints are executed. Here’s how a typical cycle unfolds: i. Sprint Planning (up to 4 hours): The team defines the Sprint Goal, selects items from the backlog, and decides how to achieve them. ii. Daily Standups (15 minutes): Quick syncs to align, share progress, and identify blockers. iii.Sprint Review (up to 2 hours): The team showcases what’s been completed, gathers feedback, and updates the backlog. iv. Sprint Retrospective (up to 1.5 hours): A reflection session to discuss what worked well, what didn’t, and how to improve in the next sprint. This rhythm ensures that every sprint isn’t just about “doing the work,” but also about learning, adapting, and getting better as a team. The big takeaway for me today: Agile isn’t about speed, it’s about delivering value early and often, staying adaptable when change comes, and keeping the customer at the center of the process. And now, here’s a thought I want to leave you with: If you’re managing a System Upgrade, which approach would you choose, Is it Agile, Waterfall, or Hybrid? I’d love to hear your perspectives. #ProjectManagement #Agile #Scrum #CareerChange #LearningJourney #90DayChallenge

Dear network, I don't post often, but I'd like to address some common misconceptions I've observed in our industry and especially on linkedin around the "Agile" world. Here are seven clarifications that I hope will be helpful: 1. Product Owner ≠ Product Manager. These are fundamentally different roles with distinct responsibilities and scope. If you do not understand the difference, I kindly invite you to search on google. 2. Project Manager ≠ Product Manager. These roles require vastly different skillsets. Product Management encompasses strategic thinking, market analysis, lifecycle management, and cross-functional leadership that is non existent in project management. 3. Projects vs. Products: These aren't interchangeable concepts. Projects have defined start and end dates. Products have lifecycles, iterative releases, and ongoing evolution. Match your hiring to your actual needs: project managers for projects, product managers for products. 4. Product Owner is a role within the development team, not a profession as defined in the Scrum Guide. The contrast is striking: 1-3 days of training for PO certification (which does not presume of the actual ability to succeed at the role) versus years of education and experience required for effective Product or Project Management. 5. Scrum Master ≠ Team Administrator. The Scrum Master isn't there to take notes or update Jira. They're a coach, enabler and facilitator for the team in regard to Scrum itself, for the Product Owner, and for the entire organization. Their mission is to facilitate collaboration, remove impediments, and foster agility at every level. 6. Agility vs. "Agile": Agility is an structural/physical/behavioral property: the ability to respond effectively to "change". "Agile" has become a marketable term for frameworks and consulting services. Let's not confuse the two. And if I may, stop using the later. What matter is the objective of the organization. Agility is an emerging consequence. The distinction matters: if your goal is simply to "do Agile" rather than build genuine agility aligned with business objectives, you risk investing resources without achieving meaningful competitive advantage. If any at all. 7. Transformation Requires Assessment First: Before deciding on your transformation approach, engage experts to audit your current state and provide recommendations based on your short, medium and long term objectives. Prescribing solutions before diagnosis rarely leads to optimal outcomes ;). What are your thoughts? Have you encountered these misconceptions in your organization? Are you in the shoes of the deciding person who sees that things must change to be ready for the future but does not really know how to proceed?

How a Project Manager Can Boost Project Delivery Rates — in Practice, Not Theory As project managers, our ultimate goal isn’t just to finish projects — it’s to deliver more, faster, and reliably. Here’s a real-world approach (backed by proven frameworks) that you can apply tomorrow morning The 3-P Framework: People • Process • Prioritization To increase your project delivery rate, focus on optimizing these three levers — not just one: 1. People (Team & Culture) Empower your team, reduce hand-off delays, and build cross-functional capacity. 2. Process (Workflow & Metrics) Simplify workflows and visualize your progress. Use Agile or Kanban boards to make bottlenecks visible. rack cycle time and throughput to see where work gets stuck. (Reference: Atlassian Agile Metrics Guide — https://lnkd.in/dMu2cUQZ ) 3. Prioritization (Scope & Value) Work on what matters most. Not every feature is equal — focus on value. Apply WSJF (Weighted Shortest Job First) or RICE scoring to prioritize tasks that bring maximum business impact. (Reference: https://lnkd.in/dMBQdPhE ) Small actions like these can reduce delivery time by 20–40% — without adding new resources. Frameworks That Work Use proven frameworks to structure your improvement efforts: DMAIC (Define – Measure – Analyze – Improve – Control) — for continuous improvement. (https://lnkd.in/dqheqjfn ) DICE Framework (Duration, Integrity, Commitment, Effort) — to assess project success likelihood. (https://lnkd.in/dT-aBpE9 ) Agile / Scrum / Kanban — to build momentum, foster feedback loops, and increase transparency. Metrics Dashboards — track cycle time, throughput, cumulative flow, and sprint burndown. 📚 References & Resources: 🔗 Atlassian Agile Metrics: https://lnkd.in/dMu2cUQZ 🔗 Value-Driven Delivery Framework (Deviq): https://lnkd.in/dMBQdPhE 🔗 DMAIC Overview: https://lnkd.in/dqheqjfn 🔗 DICE Framework: https://lnkd.in/dT-aBpE9 🔗 Agile Project Delivery: https://lnkd.in/dutUykaH

How I mastered more than 20 Agile project management tools Hello Scrum Masters, You might not need to master every tool, But you must know the basics of the most commonly used ones. Why? Because your next team, project, or interview could be using: • Jira • ADO • Rally • Trello • ClickUp • Monday.com, etc. Here’s the smarter way I approached it: 1. Start with Jira. When I mastered Jira, I realized it gave me 50% of the knowledge needed for every other tool, because Jira and most other tools share almost the same features: ☑ Backlog management ☑ Sprint planning & Tracking ☑ Boards and workflow ☑ Dashboard & Reporting The major difference between these tools is the interface, not the concepts. 2. Expand gradually.   ☑ Learn other tools to stay adaptable and confident.   ☑ Just like Agile itself, the goal is continuous improvement. 3. Practice consistently. Hands-on experience is what truly builds mastery. I Focused on: ☑ Creating sample projects and sprints ☑ Experimenting with workflows and boards ☑ Using reporting and analytics features ☑ Collaborating with peers or mentors to simulate real scenarios Tools change, principles don’t. Your understanding of Agile is your superpower. If you want a step-by-step guide to mastering Jira and building your Agile toolkit, use the link below to access the free Jira course outline. Here: https://lnkd.in/dksbrCQH ♻ Repost this to help a Scrum Master ➕ Follow Stanley for more posts like this

Curious about mastering Agile tools? Start with Jira! Like the base of a pyramid, it provides the foundation you need for others like Trello or Rally. Learning its features equips you with 50% knowledge across the board. What’s your go-to tool for project management, and what features do you find most indispensable? Share your thoughts!

Project Managers in #NewZealand—Ready to Level Up? PRINCE2 Project Management and PRINCE2 Agile are often seen as opposites—one rigid, the other fluid. But this perception is outdated. PRINCE2 Project Management is not inherently “waterfall”; you can tailor it to suit different environments, including #ITIL, #Agile and #DevOps. The PRINCE2 Agile framework was developed as an Agile Best Practice. It focuses on the Agile Mindset of “Being Agile” as well as implementing the method or “Doing Agile”. This framework is open to incorporating the strengths of PRINCE2, such as #control and #governance, with the flexibility of Agile, allowing teams to maintain control while adapting to change.  👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g4WFv2RA Whether you're in #tech, #construction, or #finance, this hybrid approach helps you tackle complexity, improve communication, and deliver results faster.  Explore official training with Lumify Work—an Accredited Training Organisation and Platinum Partner of PeopleCert. #PRINCE2Agile #ProjectManagement #LumifyWork #PeopleCert #AgileTransformation #ANZPH #ProfessionalDevelopment Fred Caranese Craig Jones Emma J Sheehan

A popular mindset in project management is to strictly follow traditional methodologies, such as Waterfall. Many believe this approach offers clear timelines and defined stages, promising smoother execution and less chaos. However, sticking rigidly to one process can lead to inflexibility when unexpected challenges arise. 🚧 On the flip side, Agile methodologies have gained traction for their adaptability and responsiveness to changing needs. By promoting iterative cycles and constant feedback, teams can tweak their paths as they go, resulting in potentially better outcomes and client satisfaction. But, without a solid framework, this can sometimes lead to confusion and scope creep. 🌀 A balanced approach can truly furnish the best of both worlds. Start by setting a clear framework using Waterfall principles for initial planning, then infuse Agile techniques during execution to adapt as necessary. 🛠️ To put this into practice, begin with defining project phases and deliverables up front, while remaining open to adjustments based on team feedback and project developments. Regular check-ins can help ensure that everyone stays aligned and can adapt as needed without losing sight of the end goal. Remember, flexibility doesn’t mean forgoing structure—it means your project can thrive amidst change! 🌱