Agile project management in construction can improve project adaptability and deliver efficient solutions by prioritizing principles such as collaboration, adaptability, and customer satisfaction. This dynamic approach involves iteratively delivering incremental value and can help navigate changing project requirements efficiently. Agile project management in construction values individuals and interactions, working solutions, and customer satisfaction over rigid processes and extensive documentation. The resulting efforts work together to guide teams toward effective and flexible solutions.

Agile project management in construction features key concepts like iterations, incremental development, and feedback loops, which are described below:

• Iterations: Construction project iterations are fixed, timeboxed periods in which a team works to complete a set amount of work. These iterations, or cycles, aim to deliver a potentially deliverable product by the end of each iteration. Construction project iterations might take place as a project scheduling block for simultaneous activities such as pouring concrete or installing structural elements.
• Incremental development: Incremental development is an approach that involves dividing the work into small manageable parts, with progressive build-up to the completion of each iteration. Construction project iterations might take place by completing each floor in phases.
• Feedback loops: Feedback loops refer to gathering information and assessing progress to determine adjustments for the betterment of future actions. In construction projects, this might take place as a review of delay causes followed by adjustments to prevent such delays from reoccurring. Compared to traditional methods, such as Waterfall, Agile is highly adaptive to changes, even in the late development of a project. The concept of Scrum, in which projects are structured into different sprints, can be used in construction projects as well. Each sprint can represent a phase of a construction project, like planning, site preparation, structural works, etc.

The construction industry faces a multitude of challenges that can impact project delivery. For example, the dynamic nature of construction projects can lead to uncertainties in planning, making it challenging to predict and mitigate potential issues in advance. This planning difficulty may result in delays, cost overruns, and the need for adaptability throughout the project lifecycle. Further, changes in regulations may require adjustments to project plans, designs, and construction methods. Non-compliance can lead to legal issues, fines, or costly retrofits, which can affect a construction project’s timeline and budget. Most importantly, ineffective communication and collaboration can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and quality issues.

As a solution for tackling these issues, Kanban boards can provide a visual workflow management framework. These boards help manage tasks throughout the project and provide real-time visibility to the project team. Columns on this board represent each phase of the task, and teams can prioritize tasks as well as manage work in progress to optimize workflow. The improved project visibility helps stakeholders clearly understand the project’s status, allowing for better decision-making and risk management. Similarly, increased collaboration leads to a shared understanding of project goals and priorities.

Through agile project management in construction, team members can address challenges more effectively. Additionally, stakeholders are actively involved, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings while improving overall project quality. The ability to promptly respond to changes ensures that the project remains aligned with customer expectations and market demands. Continuous delivery of value throughout the project not only ensures alignment with stakeholders but also allows them to benefit from completed features sooner. Thus, such continuous delivery can be particularly advantageous in industries where rapid product deployment or updates are essential for competitiveness. Adaptability during continuous delivery also reduces the risk of delivering a product that does not meet current business needs. Thus, such an approach can help contractors and stakeholders see improved reputation, profitability, and increased capability in future project development.