“There’s no such thing as Agile Project Management.”

How often have you heard that?

Have you ever said it? I may have once or twice in the past.

No more.

I’ve been managing an attic rennovation for several months now. I’ve run into a lot of unexpected turns along the way. We discovered a leaky roof. The carpet installer cancelled the morning he was supposed to install the carpet—after a 3 month wait! We found surprises in the walls. We discovered mistakes made in the process, that had to be corrected.

I’ve been adapting and adjusting at every turn. The job isn’t done, but we’re getting there. And I’m quite pleased with the result so far, if I may say so.

If that’s not an “agile” project, I don’t know what is.

But what about software development, where the Manifesto much more directly applies?

Well heck, even the Agile Principles talks about projects.

Twice!

Business people and developers must work
together daily throughout the project.

Build projects around motivated individuals. Give them the environment and support they need,
and trust them to get the job done.

So I don’t know where this idea that project ≠ agile came from, but clearly not from those who wrote the manifesto.