“Agile is not a silver bullet, but it can be the bullet that dodges the layoff.” — Michael de la Maza
Agile skills have helped me change and adapt to stay relevant over 25 years at Microsoft.
Agile has become a buzzword in the business world, with more and more companies adopting this approach to project management.
But beyond the buzz, there are real benefits that agile can bring to individuals, including improved job security.
In this article, I’ll explore how agile skills can make you a more valuable employee, increase your adaptability in a rapidly changing job market, and give you the tools you need to navigate uncertainty and thrive in any environment.
How Agile Skills Can Improve Job Security
Agile skills can improve job security in several ways:
- As agile methodologies become increasingly popular, companies are more likely to seek out and hire employees with agile skills, making these employees more in-demand and valuable in the job market.
- Agile skills allow individuals to work more efficiently and effectively, completing projects on time and within budget, which can lead to positive reviews, promotions, and job security.
- Agile skills help individuals to adapt to change more easily, a valuable trait in a rapidly evolving job market.
- Working on agile teams fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment, which can lead to higher job satisfaction and less turnover.
Why Agile Skills Improve a Project Manager’s Job Security
In PM Network magazine, Jesse Fewell wrote a great article on Agile Downsizing? Why Agile Skills Improve a Project Manager’s Job Security.
Here are a few highlights:
“Agile wasn’t designed to improve the bottom line like that, but it’s a misconception that has some project managers worrying whether a move to ‘self-organizing’ teams would make their position redundant. Even more concerning, many of the formal approaches, such as Scrum or Kanban, do not define a project manager role.”
Project managers are in higher demand than ever.
Fewell writes:
“PMI research shows the use of agile approaches tripled from December 2008 to May 2011, and 63 percent of hiring managers would encourage their project managers to pursue agile certification.”
It’s not doing more with less.
How Project Leaders Can Show Agile Experience on Their Resume
Fewell shares a few skills that project leaders with Agile experience can show on their resume:
Delegating more work
Fewell writes:
“Do you have a bent for process and facilitation? Then create that well-oiled machine and groom an analyst to manage the business. The most successful project managers I’ve met have focused on their strengths, and found capable hands for the rest of the work.”
Leading more
Fewell writes:
“Agile approaches place a dogged focus on delivering business results by improving collaboration. Once you’ve delegated the daily minutiae to the project team, you can invest in more strategic relationships.”
Driving more improvement
Fewell writes:
“… if you’ve equipped and trusted your team to handle the details and you’ve improved collaboration with stakeholders, then you finally have the energy and influence to brainstorm solutions to that quality problem, stabilize a more reliable delivery cycle than last year, or launch a product-strategy working group to mend some broken fences and get everyone on the same page.”
What’s the Key Takeaway?
The key take away is this:
“The project manager with agile skills has evolved past a positional title babysitting details. The new role is about building the capability of your teams, partnering with senior stakeholders and driving incremental improvements across the board.”
Agile Helps You Stay in the Game
Agile skills not only increase the chances of getting hired, but they also help you remain relevant and valuable in a rapidly changing job market.
Being adaptable, collaborative, and able to handle change effectively are all essential skills that are highly valued by employers.
By embracing the Agile mindset and developing these skills, you can position yourself as a valuable asset to your organizations and improve your job security.
As the business world continues to evolve, Agile skills will become increasingly important, making it a smart investment in your career.
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