Exploring the application of agile management practices to higher education institutions

Agile management practices are based on an iterative cycle that seeks to ensure design and development projects are delivered according to schedule and budgetary constraints while allowing flexibility to be applied to the project scope. Agile is now being applied to areas beyond the information technology (IT) sector and the question arises: Can agile management practices be applied to higher education institutions? Universities are complex organizations undertaking education, research and knowledge exchange activities supported by a range of administrative areas and professional services. Universities also face a number of challenges, including financial pressures and funding constraints, increasing levels of competition and the introduction of new technologies. Therefore, this paper will provide a review of agile and examine how agile project management can be applied to the operations of universities. This will include exploration of a series of illustrative cases that will identify the opportunities for applying agile management techniques at universities through describing specific examples for education, research and knowledge exchange. Following conclusions the paper includes recommendations on the potential application of agile management practices to higher education institutions.