The Agile methodology was created for developers to better cater to the type of work they performed. However, what was once a project management process for software development has started to spread to other types of work. Organizations are realizing the benefits of working Agile are not strictly for product development. This has led many companies to shift to using Agile across other teams as well, but the process of shifting to Agile is not always easy or successful. Here are six tips to ensure your shift to Agile is a success.

Projects are rarely a one-person job. While some small projects might involve only a handful of people, most projects depend on many people to get everything done. Not only are there employees who work on the project regularly, but there are stakeholders, executives, managers and other personnel who have their hand in the project some of the time. It might appear to be unnecessary to have so many individuals and roles involved in one project, but it’s actually incredibly important for completing projects.

Success is a little bit like a unicorn. Everyone wants it, but it seems like an impossible dream. In search of this unicorn, people go to great lengths and if their search turns up nothing, they label themselves and their work a failure. This is a huge mistake in the way we think about success and failure. The problem is that we define success too narrowly and failure too broadly. This is especially true for how most people determine the success of their project portfolio. To really understand the true success of projects and your whole project portfolio, you should remember the old adage, “success is in the eye of the beholder.”

Because planning may feel like second nature, few realize there are actually many different types of plans used to get results. This is particularly true for planning in a professional capacity. We compiled a list of the five most common types of planning and how they can help companies improve strategy execution. You’ve likely heard of at least a few of these types, but you may not have given them the attention needed to understand the benefits of each type of planning and how they can help you deliver more projects. So, let’s get a little more familiar with planning.

Creating an annual plan for your business is no small feat. Getting your project portfolio in order for the new year and preparing to plan out your 2020 projects can leave you drowning in project details, budgets and required resources. This can quickly become overwhelming as you try to get a handle on next year's projects, but don't lose hope! If you are lost in a maze of new year planning, here’s how you can start building your 2020 project portfolio and set your organization up for success this year.

With the new year right around the corner, you’ve likely already finalized a plan for your business next year or are about to get the planning process going. Making plans is incredibly important for helping your company execute corporate strategy, but you will need a solid foundation to stand on. Whenever you implement a new plan or strategy, take a moment to make sure you have a sound footing with a little preparation.

There is no question that this is a busy time of year. For businesses, this time of year entails wrapping up projects, making plans for the new year, and tying up any loose ends. It’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and forget to celebrate the successes you and your company experienced this year. Even if this year had many hardships or if you missed many of the goals you wanted to accomplish, it is incredibly important for companies to set aside time to recognize all successes (big or small) before launching into the new year.

While all industries can benefit from a PMO, the financial industry has eagerly embraced PMOs. The rise of PMOs in banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions is not just because there is a need for managing many projects, but to also address several obstacles unique to the industry. To create and operate a successful finance PMO, you need to understand what these unique industry challenges are.

As we quickly approach the end of the year, companies are beginning to celebrate their successes from this year and make plans for the new year. While these two activities are important, they are most effective when paired with an activity that is commonly left out: analyzing this year’s failures. While people are often uncomfortable associating themselves with failure, it would be a huge mistake to try and move your company forward without evaluating shortcomings. When you take the time to learn from your mistakes, you can prepare yourself (and your company) to overcome these challenges and make even more powerful plans.