Adapted from the book “Agile Project Management for Lawyers Beyond the Hype” by Michael Milnes for Legal Insight.
In legal conferences, the concept of operating in an “Agile” setting has become a frequent discussion topic, leading some to believe it is a new method for project management. However, individuals familiar with software or technology may find the application of Agile confusing.
Agile originated in the 1990s as a response to the need for updated software development practices. A gathering of web developers in 2001 led to the creation of the Software Agile Development Manifesto, outlining the guiding principles of Agile methodologies.
The process and fundamental principles of agile project management have remained largely unchanged, but many industries and workplaces have started embracing this approach more recently. Organizations are recognizing the numerous benefits of implementing agile practices in a rapidly changing technological and economic landscape.
Agile is highly regarded for its value.
Agile is a project management framework that involves organizing teams to carry out work efficiently. It encompasses various methodologies such as “Scrum.”
A project using Scrum is split into brief and progressive work stages known as “sprints,” which are interspersed with frequent reviews. This enables the team to reevaluate tasks, adjust their plans, and accommodate any new customer needs that may arise as the project progresses.
Each sprint in Agile should result in something immediately usable or valuable for the customer, known as a “Potentially Available Increment.” This could be a prototype of a new product or an initial report draft, ensuring that even if a project is stopped, something valuable has been achieved.
Agile Methodology Keywords
Agile relies on specific terminology to describe various design functions and tools, emphasizing the importance of using this language consistently. Key phrases are:
The product owner is the representative of the customer who sets the vision for the product and prioritizes development tasks.
The development team is responsible for completing tasks and should consist of three to nine members with the necessary skills.
The Scrum Master serves as a coach, supports the development process, and removes obstacles that may impede the team’s advancement.
The work will take place over a specific period, typically lasting two to four weeks. The sprint starts with a planning session, during which the team focuses solely on tasks designated for that sprint. It concludes with a review meeting.
Daily stand-up is a brief daily team meeting where each member shares their completed tasks, upcoming plans, and any challenges encountered. The goal is to have a quick update session lasting no more than 15 minutes.
A clear description of the item to be created, emphasizing business objectives and intended advantages.
A product backlog is a prioritized inventory of customer business needs to be addressed within the project’s timeframe. Each item is evaluated based on its business value and effort required for development, with user stories commonly used as development items. The sprint backlog contains tasks designated for a specific sprint.
Business end users typically provide a brief description of their requirements by following the structure “How [explain function], I want [identify feature or objective], so that [state benefit or rationale].”
Why might lawyers find Agile beneficial?
Many prominent companies have embraced Agile as a methodology to revamp their business operations across different key areas such as research and development, customer experience, and operations and strategy. The recent acquisition of AgileCraft by Atlassian for $1165 million suggests that Agile is likely to remain a significant trend in the business world.
What advantages can legal professionals gain from learning about it?
Lawyers working with clients involved in collaborations with service providers, suppliers, customers, or consultants need to ensure that the contract aligns with the agile approach of the project to reflect how the parties will work in practice. When clients are utilizing Agile methods, lawyers must approach contract issues from a fresh perspective.
Key aspects to take into account:
- Term and termination clauses must align with the quantity and length of the scheduled sprints. Customers may seek termination for convenience options to conclude the project early, necessitating consideration during sprint planning.
- Customers may have concerns about the cost of an agile project due to its flexible nature, which could lead to varied perspectives on budget constraints.
- If a project team has members from various organizations, it can be challenging to assign blame for events leading to a contract breach, making negotiations for standard risk allocation agreements more complicated than usual.
- Agile projects need mechanisms for resolving disputes to ensure that the project team can collaborate effectively despite any ongoing contractual disagreements.
Agile can provide lawyers with a competitive edge in business.
Lawyers handling intricate projects like mergers, acquisitions, or extensive litigation cases can enhance flexibility, customer responsiveness, and efficiency by implementing Agile project management methods. Many legal teams have already seen success by aligning their workflow with Agile principles.
Lawyers may have doubts about modern buzzwords or key management terms, but an increasing number of legal professionals are considering if Agile could help their team work more effectively.
Practical Law provides a thorough practical guide on the legal and practical challenges related to agile projects and employment. Explore Practical Law or schedule an evaluation today.
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