Put yourself in the role of a project manager collaborating with MTD, an events company.
Considering the difficulties and problems that MTD encounters in their projects, what insights have you gained this week that could offer assistance?
If an iterative approach were employed in organizing an event as a project, what would be the consequences? Similarly, what are the implications of adopting an agile approach? If the company sought your advice, what would you recommend?
Contribute your thoughts and ideas to the discussion.
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MTD’s main challenges are unclear scope, poor communication, and frequent last-minute changes. Using an iterative approach would improve quality through continuous feedback, while an agile approach would increase flexibility but may reduce structure. I would recommend a hybrid approach, keeping clear timelines and plans, while adding regular check-ins and feedback loops to better manage changes and improve coordination.
As a Project Manager in MTD, a purely iterative approach isn’t always practical. Some elements require a linear, upfront plan — securing venues, community engagement, and critical logistics must be locked in long before the event date. If not, you’re planning for crisis.
However, iteration is still essential for managing mid-course disruptions. These often stem from unclear stakeholder communication or internal capacity gaps that threaten deliverables.
We will sprint but not in the traditional 2-week Agile sense. These are hour-long, high-intensity pushes where we pull every string necessary to protect the MTD image and ensure delivery.
Events are inherently complex. You can’t avoid iteration. The plan will change. The question is whether you control the change or it controls you.
As a project manager working with MTD, I’ve learnt that most of the issues are poor coordination and communication, with can be improved by clear communication, meeting with stakeholders to understand their taste of value, planning and regular update for the stakeholders.
An iterative approach gives flexibility and not rigidity in steps, and constant improvement or review at each step.
Agile approach allows quick response to change and solutions at different environments with different approach.
I will advise to combination of both approaches, that’s linear and iterative approach, as the combination gives best results, as learned the linear and iterative approaches worked best when combined
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Through this course, I’ve learned that effective project management goes beyond planning and execution—it requires strong ethical judgment, adaptability, and clear communication. I now better understand how values like integrity, accountability, and transparency influence decision-making at every stage of a project.
In my work in M&E and public health, I can apply these lessons by ensuring that data is accurately collected and reported, engaging stakeholders more collaboratively, and being open about challenges and risks. I’ve also learned the importance of thinking about complexity and making decisions that consider long-term impact rather than short-term results.
Overall, I will apply these insights to manage projects more responsibly, improve teamwork, and deliver outcomes that are both effective and ethically sound.
As a project manager advising MTD, the events company, here is what I would apply from this week’s learning:
On Iterative Approach:
Taking an iterative approach to event planning means breaking the project into phases venue, logistics, marketing, and execution and reviewing progress after each phase before moving forward. For MTD, this would allow the team to catch issues early, adjust budgets or timelines, and incorporate client feedback without derailing the entire project. The implication is more control and reduced risk, though it may require more structured check-in points and disciplined documentation.
On Agile Approach:
An agile approach would give MTD greater flexibility to respond to last-minute client changes, vendor cancellations, or shifting event requirements which are very common in the events industry. However, the implication is that scope can creep if not managed carefully, and team members need to be comfortable with uncertainty and rapid reprioritization.
My Advice to MTD:
I would recommend a hybrid approach :use iterative planning for the overall project structure to maintain clear milestones and client sign-offs, while applying agile principles within each phase to handle the day-to-day unpredictability of events work. This balances structure with flexibility, which is exactly what event management demands.
Stepping into a project manager role working with MTD, a few challenges typically emerge in event-based projects that are worth addressing, such as unclear early requirements, frequent last-minute changes, and weak risk planning. Improving upfront planning and maintaining regular stakeholder alignment can prevent many issues.
An iterative approach would help refine ideas during planning, but it can slow things down if overused.
Agile allows flexibility and quick feedback, but doesn’t fully suit fixed elements like venues and contracts.
A hybrid approach works best: keep structured planning for logistics and use agile methods for creative and client-driven aspects. This ensures both stability and adaptability for overall project success.
As a project manager working with MTD, I’ve learned that most of their issues like last minute changes and poor coordination can be improved through clear communication, early planning, and regular updates with stakeholders.
An iterative approach would break the event into stages, allowing reviews and improvements at each step.
This helps catch problems early but may take more time.
An agile approach allows flexibility and quick response to changes, which is useful in events, but it can become disorganized without proper control.
I would recommend a hybrid approach structured planning with flexibility so MTD can stay organized while still adapting to changes easily.