Coworking and Agile Project Management

Agile project management has emerged as one of the main approaches to successful project execution and it is still gaining popularity. Also still gaining momentum are coworking spaces, flexible work environments that help promote collaboration and creativity. How can two practices support one another? In this blog we will seek to explain how coworking supports Agile project management.

Agile Project Management

Agile Project management is based on the Agile manifesto, which outlines the core values, working solutions, collaboration and the ability to respond to change effectively.

Agile Project management has two core elements; teamwork and time. Instead of creating a big timeline from start to finish, Agile breaks the project into individual deliverable pieces. Agile project management prioritises individuals and interactions and the agile team fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Waterfall project management could be considered the counterpart of Agile Project Management. The differences between Waterfall vs Agile are quite extensive, however neither one is better than the other and the approaches can also be mixed. The choice of approach completely depends on the organisation’s needs, objectives and culture.

Coworking Spaces

Thanks to the pandemic and the rise of hybrid work, we see that professionals seek an alternative to the traditional office working environment. Coworking spaces have risen and are expected to continue their growth. Coworking spaces are shared working spaces that cater to the needs of modern day professionals and accommodate people from different companies. Business expenses like internet, printers and break rooms are shared and inter-company communication can highly increase creativity and cooperation.

Coworking environments naturally foster open communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among their members. This way coworking spaces create an atmosphere that complements agile methodologies. In fact the values and principles of Agile project management align seamlessly with the essence of coworking spaces.

According to a report by Emergent Research, 89% of coworking space members reported increased levels of interaction and engagement with others, reflecting the coworking spaces’ affinity for the agile mindset.

Coworking and Agility

Agile project management requires teams to be adaptable to continuously changing project needs and priorities. Coworking spaces provide customizable workspace options, allowing teams to scale their workspaces based on project phases and team size. Coworking places have proven to be both cost effective and highly flexible.

In a Coworking space, professionals from various industries and backgrounds come together. This creates opportunities to share ideas, collaborate and cross-pollinate. For agile project teams, this diversity can translate into a wealth of perspectives, insights, and expertise to draw upon.

Future of work

As the future of work continues to evolve we can expect to see even more hybrid working forms. Some think that the workforce shall be organised via projects and roles, where coworking spaces are seen as project-based ecosystems. This means that the fusion of coworking and agile project management will undoubtedly help drive organisational success and support businesses into a new era of productivity and collaboration.

By embracing the partnership between coworking spaces and agile project management, organisations can empower their teams to deliver successful projects while enjoying the benefits of a dynamic and supportive work environment.

Curious about Agile Project Management? QRP International offers AgilePM courses, both virtually and onsite. Write to us for more information!