Agile Project Management has become increasingly popular in recent years, offering a flexible and adaptable approach to software development and other projects. But with its rise in popularity, a new vocabulary has emerged, leaving many feeling overwhelmed. In this blog, we’ll be exploring 25 of the most commonly used Agile terms, helping you to understand their meaning and how they’re used in Agile Project Management. Whether you’re new to Agile or simply looking to brush up on your knowledge, this blog will provide a valuable resource to help you navigate the world of Agile Project Management.

1. Application Lifecycle Management

Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) is a software development process that manages the entire lifecycle of an application, from concept and planning to deployment, maintenance, and retirement. ALM covers all aspects of software development and integrates people, processes, and tools to optimize development and ensure that an application meets business requirements and is delivered on time and within budget.

2. Agile Principles

The 12 Agile principles are a set of guidelines that form the foundation of the Agile approach to software development. These principles emphasize the importance of delivering value to the customer, collaboration and communication, and continuous improvement. They guide teams in delivering high-quality software that meets the needs of the customer in an adaptive and flexible manner.

3. Agile project management (APM)

Agile project management is a flexible and adaptive approach to managing software development projects. It is based on the principles of the Agile principles. In Agile project management, projects are divided into small, manageable chunks of work, called “iterations” or “sprints”. Each iteration involves the delivery of working software, allowing for regular feedback and adaptation based on changing requirements.

4. Block flow diagram

A block flow diagram, also known as a block flow process diagram or a functional flow block diagram, is a type of flowchart used in process engineering. It is a graphical representation of a process or a system, showing the flow of process and information from one block or step to another. Block flow diagrams are used to help understand and visualize complex processes, to identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

5. Certified ScrumMaster

A Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) is a professional who has successfully completed a certification program and demonstrated a basic understanding of the Scrum framework for Agile project management. It provides an in-depth understanding of the role of the ScrumMaster, who is responsible for facilitating the Scrum process and helping the team to adopt and apply Scrum effectively.

6. Continuous Integration

Continuous Integration (CI) is a software development practice in which code changes are automatically built, tested, and validated every time they are pushed to a version control repository. The goal of CI is to catch bugs and integration issues early in the development process, making it easier to identify and fix them. This helps to ensure that the code remains in a releasable state at all times and reduces the risk of unexpected behavior in the final product.

7. DevOps

DevOps is a philosophy that emphasizes collaboration and communication between development and operations teams. The goal of DevOps is to automate the software delivery process, from development to production, in order to improve the speed and reliability of software releases. Key practices in DevOps include continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD), infrastructure as code, monitoring and logging, and collaboration through tools.

8. Expected monetary value

Expected Monetary Value (EMV) is a statistical measure used in decision making and risk management. It represents the average outcome of a decision or event, taking into account all possible outcomes and their corresponding probabilities. EMV is calculated by multiplying each possible outcome by its corresponding probability of occurrence and then summing up the results.

9. Kanban

Kanban is a project management method that works in a Lean and just-in-time manner. It was originally developed for use in manufacturing, but has since been adapted for use in a variety of industries, including software development. In Kanban, work is represented as cards on a board, and the flow of work is visualized using columns that represent the different stages of work, such as “To Do,” “In Progress,” and “Done.” The idea is to limit work in progress and ensure that only what is needed is produced, reducing waste and improving the overall flow of work.

10. Minimum Viable Product

A Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a term used in project management to describe a version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early adopters and provide valuable feedback for future development. The goal of an MVP is to test a product concept and gather data about its potential market, user behavior, and viability before investing more resources into its development. MVP is a valuable approach for project management because it helps teams to validate their product ideas quickly, reduces development risk, and saves time and resources by avoiding the development of features that may not be needed or wanted.

11. Scrum

Scrum is an Agile framework for project management that focuses on delivering value to customers through iterative and incremental development. It is designed to be flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change. In Scrum, work is organized into sprints, during which a cross-functional team works to deliver a usable product increment. Scrum emphasizes collaboration, continuous improvement, and regular communication, and is widely used in software development, as well as in other industries.

12. Sprint

A sprint is a time-boxed iteration of work in Agile project management, typically lasting two to four weeks. The goal of a sprint is to deliver a usable product increment, which adds value to the customer and moves the project closer to completion. During a sprint, a cross-functional team works to prioritize and complete a set of tasks from the project backlog. Sprints are a key component of Agile project management, as they help teams to deliver value to customers quickly and respond to changing requirements and priorities.

13. Sprint backlog

The sprint backlog is a list of items that the development team is committed to delivering during a sprint in Agile project management. It is created and maintained by the development team and serves as a plan for the sprint, outlining the work that needs to be done to achieve the sprint goal. The sprint backlog is a dynamic and evolving list that is updated throughout the sprint as the team completes tasks and identifies new work items.

14. Joint project planning

Joint project planning, also known as integrated project planning or integrated master planning, is a project management approach that involves collaboration and coordination among all stakeholders in a project to develop a comprehensive and integrated plan for the project. In joint project planning, the project team works together to identify and align project goals, objectives, and priorities.

15. MoSCoW method

The MoSCoW method is a prioritization technique used in project management to prioritize and categorize requirements, deliverables, and other project elements. It is an acronym that stands for Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, and Would Like to Have. The MoSCoW method is used during the planning and scoping phase of a project, and is typically reviewed and updated regularly throughout the project.

16. PERT chart

A PERT chart (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) is a type of project management tool used to plan, coordinate, and track the tasks involved in a project. It provides a graphical representation of the project schedule, including the dependencies between tasks, the estimated duration of each task, and the critical path of the project.

17. Risks, Assumptions, Issues, and Dependencies (RAID)

The RAID model helps project managers to stay informed about potential risks, assumptions, issues, and dependencies, and to take action to mitigate or avoid them. This helps to ensure that the project is delivered on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.
Overall, the RAID model is a useful tool for project managers to identify and manage potential challenges and to help keep the project on track. By using the RAID model, project managers can proactively address potential risks and issues, and increase the chances of project success.

18. Scrumban

Scrumban is a project management methodology that combines the best of Scrum and Kanban methodologies. It utilizes the agility of Scrum and the visualization of work items in Kanban to provide a flexible and efficient way of managing software development projects. The goal of Scrumban is to balance predictability and responsiveness to change.

19. SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle)

The SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) Waterfall Model is a traditional linear approach to software development. It involves a sequential process, where progress is made through stages like requirements gathering, design, development, testing, and deployment. The Waterfall Model is best suited for projects where requirements are well understood and unlikely to change.

20. Workflow process

A workflow process is a set of steps and tasks necessary to complete a process or project from start to finish. It outlines the responsibilities of each team member, the timeline for completion, and the approvals required at each stage. A well-defined workflow process helps to ensure that projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

21. Burndown Chart

A Burndown Chart is a visual representation of work remaining in a sprint or project. It helps track progress and identify potential roadblocks. The chart shows the amount of work remaining over time, allowing the team to adjust their efforts to ensure that the project is completed on time.

22. Mock Objects

Mock Objects are simulated objects used in testing software to replace real objects that are difficult or impossible to integrate with the system being tested. They are used to test the behavior of software components in isolation, allowing developers to focus on individual parts of the system.

23. Product Manager

Product Manager is responsible for defining and driving the vision and strategy for a product. They work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that the product meets the needs of the market and the business. The Product Manager is accountable for the success of the product and must balance the needs of stakeholders and the development team.

24. User Story

A User Story is a description of a specific user’s needs and requirements for a product or feature. It is written from the perspective of the user and is used to capture the functional requirements for the product. User Stories are a key tool in Agile software development, allowing teams to understand and prioritize the needs of their users.

25. Change Control Process

The Change Control Process is a set of procedures for managing and tracking changes to a project or product. It helps to ensure that changes are thoroughly evaluated, approved, and implemented in a controlled manner. The Change Control Process helps to minimize risk and ensure that changes are made in a way that aligns with the goals and objectives of the project or product.