Web project work has a guilty little secret: much of the time, projects end up with everybody hating each other. Because the client has changed their mind about what it is that they wanted. Because they didn’t really know what they wanted in the first place – but it’s certainly not what you produced. Because the money has run out but there are still fifty items on the to-do list.

Agile methods are a group of new techniques which make it easier to deliver IT and web-based projects in environments of uncertainty and constant change. Did you ever try to plan a project but things didn't go quite as you expected? Agile methods are designed to deal with that kind of experience. They emphasise the delivery of projects in short iterations: the end of each iteration, priorities can be re-ordered or new ones can be added making sure that you are always delivering to the client the things that they value most.

● Agile working techniques offer an alternative to project frustration and failure.

● Clients get faster results and the chance to refine their thinking as the project progresses.

● Project managers receive clearer communications and better understanding of client needs and time allocation.

● Developers and designers don’t waste time on work that isn’t really needed.

● Transparency during the production process means that change is on-going rather than crammed in at the end when everyone has lost interest and the budget has already been spent. 

This course will give you an immediate feel for the difference that working using Agile techniques can have for the IT projects that you work on and techniques and procedures that you can put into practice immediately to help deliver better projects, on time and on budget.

Suitable for people working as either a Producer or Project Manger or Software Developer in any software development environment. Also suitable for people involved in the specification and procurement of software. No programming skills required.

Tutor: Mark Stringer. Mark has previously worked as a project manager for Soda Creative. Previous to this, Mark worked for ten years in various development and project management roles in the software industry. Mark has also worked as a researcher in Computer Science at Cambridge University and for Xerox Research Centre Europe. Web: http://www.agile-lab.co.uk/

(Concessionary price is available to students, unemployed, not-for-profits, businesses with less than ten people).