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.
While the linear Project Life cycle is wonderful, for an event companies like mtd they really need an agile and iterative Project Life cycle because things can easily take new turns even become spontaneous and we can not even foresee what can happen in the next minute. So just like the guys that do the downfall skiing are ready to make a lot of changes, we also must be able to make that change and that’s why agile is the best approach for mtd
I would recommend that using a hybrid system is the best for their project execution.
Using a hybrid process makes deliverables easy to achieve with a fluidity between a linear approach which i mostly rigid and iterative approach. This approach makes feedback, reviews and progress monitoring a lot more achievable and effective and this ensures a higher chance of success.
I would recommend the HYBRID approach to the MTD event management; because by combining the strengths of linear and iterative methods, hybrid approaches can enhance project outcomes and better meet stakeholder needs. For example: the Iterative elements help identify and mitigate risks early, while linear components provide stability.
MTD, as an events company, often faces challenges such as tight timelines, shifting client demands, vendor delays, and communication gaps. This highlights the need for plans that are both structured and flexible.
Using an iterative approach would allow MTD to gather feedback in stages and refine progressively, reducing major last-minute changes, though it may increase the workload. An agile approach would emphasize collaboration, transparency, and adaptability through sprints for different event components, leading to greater client satisfaction but requiring a cultural shift from traditional linear planning.
As a project manager, I would recommend a hybrid model: keeping a structured master plan while adopting agile practices like stakeholder check-ins and adaptive resource allocation. This balance would help MTD stay organized while remaining flexible in addressing challenges.
As a versatile project manager, I subscribe that the key point of project management in clear communication.
A hybrid approach is always best for project execution.
All the processes are reduced in bulk so they will appear less overwhelming to the project teams. Feedback and reviews and progress monitoring will ensure a higher chance of success. Yet the overall plan will still be straightforward as in a linear model.
For the MTD event, I propose using a phased planning style that breaks the project into smaller, achievable steps. This approach makes it easier to track progress, adapt quickly, and minimize risks. By gathering feedback at each stage, we can refine the process and ensure the final outcome truly meets expectations. Applying Agile principles here would boost flexibility, improve collaboration, and ultimately lead to greater customer satisfaction.
Based on current observations and lessons learnt:
1. Adopt a Hybrid Approach: Combine linear planning for fixed milestones (venue booking, permits, major suppliers) with iterative or agile practices for components that require flexibility (program schedules, technical setups, feedback loops).
2. Implement Iterative Planning for High-Risk Areas: Use short cycles to test critical elements like event technology, logistics, or catering setup, allowing adjustments before full deployment.
3. Introduce Agile Practices:
Daily or weekly stand-ups for internal teams.
Continuous stakeholder check-ins.
Regular retrospectives post-event phases to improve future projects.
4. Strengthen Risk and Resource Management: Maintain a central log of risks, dependencies, and resources to proactively address conflicts and bottlenecks.
5. Enhance Communication: Develop clear reporting structures, timelines, and responsibility matrices to ensure everyone knows who is accountable for what.
As a project manager, I would recommend the iterative approach to the MTD event planning
As a project manager, I would recommend the iterative approach to the MTD event planning.
As the project manager, I recommend adopting an iterative approach to MTD event planning, which would allow us to break the project into smaller, manageable phases and gather early feedback, make continuous improvements, and reduce risks along the way. I believe implementing an Agile methodology would lead to higher customer satisfaction.
As a Project manager from what I have learnt this week I will apply Iterative approach to the MTD event planning, for faster results and ability to adapt to any changes and be able to achieve the project goal