Agile methodology

The agile methodology starts from the idea that change is natural in everything we do. Instead of resisting it, it is embraced and used as a competitive advantage. It is, therefore, a work system or set of project management techniques focused on flexibility and adaptability. Work is organized and distributed among different multidisciplinary teams, an approach that allows organizations to be faster and respond more efficiently to their clients' needs.

To understand what agile methodologies are, it is interesting to know where they came from. Although there are different accounts of exactly when they emerged, it was not until 2001 when 17 software development experts gathered at the Snowbird ski resort in the mountains of Utah (USA) and signed the Agile Manifesto. The document coined the term for the first time and, as opposed to traditional models - which followed excessively rigid structures and linear processes, far removed from the real needs of clients - advocated for four fundamental values that today inspire the main project management methodologies and, in addition, laid the foundations of the agile methodology itself.

The importance of people and their interactions with processes and tools. Working software versus exhaustive documentation. Collaboration with the client throughout the process. And finally, adaptability or the ability to respond to changes and unforeseen events. These four keys were the starting point of the agile methodology, a philosophy that although it took its first steps in the software world, after more than two decades of development, has proven its success in the application to projects of all kinds.

The ability to respond quickly to changes in project requirements, prioritizing collaboration, constant communication, and progressive or incremental delivery is at the heart of the agile methodology. This paradigm shift involves breaking away from the rigidity of traditional approaches and adopting a more pragmatic view that fits the dynamics of today's work environment while providing a number of benefits to the process.

• Adaptability to working conditions

One of the main advantages of the agile methodology lies in its adaptability to real-time working conditions. As demands and priorities change, agile teams can adjust their approach efficiently, maintaining quality and efficiency at every stage of the project, which often translates into greater client satisfaction.

• Flexibility and agility

Flexibility is another pillar of the agile methodology. Agile teams can reorganize their tasks and priorities according to the changing needs of the project. This flexibility allows an immediate response to the challenges of rearranging priorities or finding errors, resulting in greater efficiency when faced with unforeseen situations.

• Continuous improvement

Another advantage of these project management methodologies is the focus on continuous improvement. Through constant feedback and reflection after each iteration of the project, agile teams have the opportunity to learn from their experiences and apply adjustments to optimize their performance. This cycle of continuous improvement contributes to the ongoing evolution of the project and ensures that it is working as effectively as possible.

• Tandem strength: team-client

Transparency is present in every project that applies an agile methodology, and close interaction between the team and the client is a constant. The latter can participate in the development of the project and know the results in a simpler way at any time.

In a company like Repsol, the application of these principles and, in short, of the Agile methodology, makes it possible to develop digital projects committed to the energy transition. The improvement of efficiency in plants or refineries, thanks to software that today multiply their computational and predictive capacity, is a good example. However, the application of these project management methodologies is also evident in the new ways of working and professional profiles that allow the company to develop the values that inspire the agile philosophy.  

In short, agile methodology has transformed the way we approach project management in the work environment with an approach based on adaptability, collaboration, and incremental delivery.

Repsol's digital transformation project highlights how the application of project management methodologies that place people and not the environment at the center translates into flexible, collaborative, and client-oriented organizations. “To extract the maximum potential from our efforts, it is necessary to combine the digital change with a cultural change throughout the organization,” explains Valero Marín, now executive managing director of Client and member of the Executive Committee.