Agile project management can be extremely efficient- these tips will help you get the best out of your time.
A good way of making sure that a system works smoothly is be making a definition of 'done' or 'complete,' as this will help to prevent a build up of overlooked tasks as this will then create a build up which may be hard to clear.
Make use of timeboxes in your work, and make sure that the start and end date for all activities is set in stone. Do not allow any changes, this way you will be kept focussed.
Do not allow scheduling and buffering of any tasks as all of the safety margins will be used.
Make decisions as late on as possible as this will leave the option for no decision answers, by entering a 'no decision' response you may be helping yourself in the future as certain decisions may no longer be valid.
Whenever it is possible try to reduce the cycle time and keep them as short as possible, this will speed up the entire process.
Always try to limit the amount of 'work in progress' tasks as well as the amount of people working next to one another. This will improve the response time as well as speed up the process in general.
Be organised right from the project beginning, understanding your aims will reduce the cost of having to make changes further into the project.
Put a limit in any unnecessary task changing between each project, this will mean that tasks get completed quicker and people will remain more focussed.
Avoid making overtime a regular occurrence as this can result in a lack of team spirit and motivation as well as a poorer level of work.
Be certain that you have a clear idea of the difference between urgent tasks and important tasks; if you put the two together then it could mean that the important tasks never get completed.