With Agile methods’ popularity, you might consider becoming an Agile project manager. These advantages and disadvantages of being an Agile project manager will help you come up with the answer!
Knowing these aspects will let you make informed decisions about your career. So you can be ready for the unique challenges and rewards that come with it.
Keep reading to discover!
Overview
Agile project managers are the captains of Agile project teams. These managers work in flexible work environments, such as software or marketing. Here’s an overview of what I, as well as other Agile project managers, do:
- Help teams deal with change and uncertainty. I build trust and make sure everyone talks openly.
- Instead of bossing people around, I empower teams.
- Plan projects in smaller steps, like using Scrum or Kanban, to help teams adjust to new plans and make progress bit by bit.
- Encourage everyone to keep getting better.
- Manage expectations and decide what’s most important to work on.
- Control risk.
- Employ metrics to provide transparency and inform decisions.
- Talk to customers and adapt to changes.
Agile project managers are team leaders who help teams work well together, handle changes, and deliver what customers want. As companies keep using Agile methods, these managers will stay important.
More and more companies are using Agile, opening many jobs and attractive incomes for those working in this field. But does this career have any drawbacks? Let’s clarify its pros and cons!
First, I will analyze the benefits of working in Agile project management (APM). They are the reason why more and more people are entering this field.
1. Many Job Opportunities For Newcomers
As of 2022, many US companies (about 71%) use Agile, and this demand is spreading fast. So, even if you are a fresher, you still have many opportunities to find a suitable job.
In this field, Scrum is its most common tool, and 61% of people in 76 countries use it. So, if you learn Scrum, you’ll have a skill that’s in high demand.
Moreover, with your Agile skills, you have many opportunities to work in different industries like IT, healthcare, finance, and marketing. And Agile is used around the world. So, you might find jobs in other countries or work remotely.
2. Earning Good Income
With a decent base salary, between $91,000 and $137,000/year (in 2024), Agile project management is an exciting career in project management.
On top of this base salary, Agile project managers can also earn extra money, usually ranging from $8,000 to $14,000/year.
When you add base salary and the extra pay, these managers can make anywhere from $99,000 to $151,000 a year. That’s a pretty good total income!
You can earn even more money as you gain experience and become an expert in this field. Also, the high demand for Agile project managers means you can negotiate for better salaries.
3. Varied Projects
As an Agile project manager, I can work on different projects in many areas, including software, marketing, and construction.
So, I find my job interesting, and I learn new things all the time. I can easily switch between projects and not get stuck doing the same thing over and over.
4. Promising Career Growth
Agile project management is a stepping stone. With experience, you can take on leadership roles like Agile program manager or chief Agile officer. These involve overseeing larger projects and changes in companies.
Career growth often means more income. Senior Agile project managers and Agile coaches earn more because of their specialized knowledge and experience.
Because Agile methods work in various fields, like technology, healthcare, finance, etc., you’re not stuck in one area and can explore different ones.
Being an Agile project manager has its pros. But it also comes with cons: the need for collaboration, uncertain projects, and limited predictability.
5. Require Collaboration
Sometimes, I find collaboration demanding and complex. Agile methods need communication a lot. So, I must spend a ton of time managing all these discussions.
Besides, Agile teams often include people with different skills and backgrounds. So, it can be tough to coordinate them, especially when they have various ideas and priorities.
Another collaboration challenge is about managing expectations. It’s not always easy to explain Agile to people who are used to traditional methods.
6. Uncertainty Projects
As an Agile project manager, one of the most challenging parts of the job is dealing with a lot of uncertainty.
In Agile, we’re all about being flexible and open to changes. While this is good for responding to what customers want, it can make planning and predicting things really tricky.
7. Limited Predictability
In this role, I also struggle with predicting how a project will turn out. Unlike traditional ways of managing projects that plan everything in detail upfront, Agile focuses on making progress in smaller steps.
While this is good for staying flexible, it makes it tough to give precise predictions.
Should You Work In Agile Project Management?
The answer really depends on you. If you love to work with change, learn new things, and prioritize customers, it’s a good fit. But, if you prefer steady, predictable work, it might not be the best choice.
So, you need to assess whether the Agile mindset aligns with your career goals and how comfortable you are with the challenges it brings.
If you want to pursue it, be ready for uncertainty and focus on adaptability. Also, you need to develop strong teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Conclusion
In Agile project management, the good parts, like job opportunities and high income, are great. But, the not-so-good aspects, such as collaboration challenges and not being able to predict everything, can be tough.
To do well in this job, you need to adapt well to change and get better at managing people. You also have to prioritize customer needs.
From the above pros and cons of being an Agile project manager, do you think this is a good job? Please comment on your opinion!