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.
Adopting an iterative approach in event planning would allow MTD to break the project into manageable phases, enabling early feedback, continuous improvement, and risk mitigation. However, it may increase coordination efforts and require more stakeholder involvement throughout the process. Implementing an Agile approach with its emphasis on flexibility, collaboration, and incremental delivery could enhance responsiveness and client satisfaction. Agile practices, such as regular stand-ups, retrospectives, and backlog prioritization, would foster transparency and facilitate faster issue resolution. If consulted, I would recommend a hybrid model, combining Agile responsiveness with the structure of traditional planning. This would allow MTD to remain client-focused while maintaining control over fixed deadlines and budgets, ultimately improving project quality and delivery consistency.
As a perfect manager working with MTD, I would first of all study the environment before embarking on any, I would also be adaptive and flexible in the approaches and not being rigid. I would use both linear and iterative approach to get the work done and also include VUCA approach should incase at any point of the project I get stalled, I can easily get over.
For a project to be complete, skills like communication, negotiation, problem solving skills, critical thinking are necessary
Introduction
MTD is a specialized service company that provides temporary water infrastructure for large-scale events, such as festivals, sports gatherings, and exhibitions. These projects are high-risk, fast-paced, and require rapid deployment and dismantling. As a project manager working with MTD, selecting the right project management approach is crucial to meeting quality standards, client expectations, and tight timelines. This paper explores the implications of adopting iterative and agile project management approaches in MTD’s operations, and offers strategic advice tailored to their unique context.
Implications of an Iterative Approach at MTD
An iterative approach involves dividing the project into manageable phases, where feedback is collected and applied after each cycle to improve subsequent ones. In the context of MTD, this method would involve planning, testing, deploying, and refining different segments of the water infrastructure setup progressively before full implementation.
Key Implications:
Early Detection of Risks: Testing temporary pipelines, tank placements, and pump efficiency in cycles allows early identification of pressure faults or water supply gaps.
Continuous Improvement: Lessons learned from one event can be built into the planning of the next, creating a cycle of ongoing refinement.
Improved Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder feedback can be incorporated in each phase, improving alignment and accountability.
Reduced System Failure: Instead of installing all components at once, an iterative approach ensures that high-priority zones (e.g., kitchens, medical areas) are tested first, reducing the risk of widespread failure.
Limitations:
Requires additional time for each cycle.
May lead to duplicated effort if not carefully managed.
Not suitable for events with very short setup timelines.
Implications of an Agile Approach at MTD
Agile project management emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and rapid response to change. It is commonly used in environments where requirements evolve quickly or are unclear at the start.
Key Implications for MTD:
Flexibility and Responsiveness: Agile enables teams to adjust quickly to changing event layouts, crowd sizes, or unforeseen weather conditions.
Improved Team Collaboration: Agile encourages cross-functional communication, which is vital when coordinating plumbing teams, engineers, event organizers, and local authorities.
Client Satisfaction: Continuous client involvement ensures the infrastructure setup remains aligned with event requirements as they evolve.
Prioritization of Critical Zones: Teams can set up water infrastructure for essential areas first (e.g., toilets, food vendors) and iterate as the event progresses.
Limitations:
Agile requires disciplined team structure and fast decision-making, which can be difficult in field conditions.
It may result in inadequate documentation if focus is heavily placed on execution.
It is better suited for dynamic, long-running events than single-day installations.
Advice to MTD
To maximize efficiency and service quality, MTD should consider adopting a hybrid project management model that blends iterative and agile principles. The following recommendations are advised:
Adopt a Hybrid Agile-Iterative Approach
Begin with structured, iterative planning (e.g., simulations and stakeholder mapping), and switch to agile execution during the event. This provides both predictability and flexibility.
Use Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback Tools
Equip teams with smart monitoring devices and reporting software to track water pressure, usage, and faults live. Agile principles can be applied here to enable responsive decision-making during the event.
Conduct Post-Event Retrospectives
After each project, run debrief sessions to identify successes and areas for improvement. Feed these insights into the next iteration.
Train Teams on Agile Mindsets
Encourage team members to be open to change, proactive in communication, and focused on stakeholder satisfaction rather than just technical delivery.
Conclusion
Both iterative and agile methodologies offer valuable benefits for MTD’s operations. Iterative planning allows for thorough testing and risk management, while agile execution supports responsiveness and cross-team collaboration. By adopting a hybrid approach, MTD can maintain its reputation for technical excellence while enhancing adaptability and client satisfaction. Project success in this fast-moving, high-stakes industry depends not only on technical ability but also on how flexibly and ethically teams can respond to changing demands on the ground.
As a PM working with MTD, I would first of all check for VUCA, then apply both linear and iterative managements so that everyone involved in the project will be happy and satisfied
Immanuella O. Obazele
Cohort 26, Team 5
Since MTD works in fast-paced environments where timelines are tight, and things can change quickly, it needs more than just a plan. It needs a team that can move fast, adjust quickly, and keep the client in the loop every step of the way. Hence, I’ll advise MTD to adopt the agile approach as a Project Manager.
Agile isn’t just about working in short bursts or sprints, it’s about being flexible and responsive. It gives a team room to tackle challenges as they come, instead of waiting until the end of the project to review what went wrong. A team gets to test things as they go, get feedback, make adjustments, and still deliver on time.
Iterative approaches also use cycles, but they tend to be more about “internal improvements” rather than real-time collaboration with clients, which is a must for companies like MTD.
So, to keep up with the scale, speed, and unpredictability of large events handled by MTD, Agile is the smarter, more people-focused way to go.
As a PM, I will deploy the best approach after thorough research with my team and also have an open mind to unforeseen challenges that may arise in the course of the project knowing too well that no two projects are the same.
As a Project Manager it is of great importance that I become open minded about the project presented before myself and the team. Flexibility and Adaptability becomes a necessity to be able to determine the approach to be followed, whether it be Linear or Iterative.
Communication and Understanding is required with clarity, transparency to determine the nature of the project and concept, description helps you to deploy correctly to avoid unnecessary setbacks, and delay in executing task. Any of the method you conclude to use in approaching should provide assurance to sponsors and stakeholders. Accountability, visibility increase. It is important as a PM that the team understands clearly what is expected, this is where VUCA framework tool becomes important. You can’t use a blanket approach with all the projects. Feedback is the key and constant reviews,
This is what I understood. Linear or Iterative or Agile all fits in accordance to your past experience in the field
Thank you
if i were the Project Manager, i would suggest Iterative or Agile approach especially for unforeseen issues that may lead to last minute change.
More so since there are beneficiary to this project, and their feedback is important for the success of the project Iterative approach is the best.
If I were the project manager working with MTD, I would suggest using an agile or iterative approach to handle issues like last-minute changes and unclear requirements. This would allow more flexibility, better teamwork, and regular client feedback by breaking the event project into smaller, manageable phases.
If I were the project manager working with MTD, I would suggest using an agile or iterative approach to handle issues like last-minute changes and unclear requirements. This would allow more flexibility, better teamwork, and regular client feedback by breaking the event project into smaller, manageable phases.
As a project manager for the events company MTD, here’s what I’ve learned this week that could help:
One key learning is the importance of clear communication and role clarity in managing project teams. In events management, where timelines are tight and tasks are interdependent, having a shared understanding of responsibilities and deadlines is crucial. Regular updates, defined responsibilities, and open communication channels help avoid confusion and last-minute crises.
Iterative Approach: Consequences in Event Planning
If MTD adopted an iterative (or phased) approach to organizing events, such as planning in cycles (e.g., theme > vendors > logistics > rehearsals), the consequences would include:
Pros:
Early detection of risks
Time to revise based on feedback before the event
More accurate budgeting with phase-by-phase clarity
Cons:
May require more time up front for planning
Can be challenging to phase tasks that are usually done linearly