Agile Project Management Facilitates Efficient and Collaborative Collection Development Work

A Review of:Stoddard, M. M., Gillis, B., & Cohn, P. (2019). Agile project management in libraries: Creating collaborative, resilient, responsive organizations. Journal of Library Administration, 59(5), 492–511. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2019.1616971 Objective – To examine the advantages and obstacles using (an approach to management) principles guide collection development work ways that allow libraries better address user needs while increasing transparency collaboration their processes. Design Descriptive case study. Setting Libraries at a private, R1 university (doctoral very high research activity). Subjects Five cross-disciplinary teams three six people, with each team focusing on separate strategic aspect library collections (Communications Data Visualization, E-Resource Contract Negotiation, Serials Workflow Analysis, Demand Driven Acquisitions, Budget Projection Assessment). Methods The authors facilitated group reflection sessions for surface outcomes employing practices also as means through which they could learn from experiences Agile. engaged throughout year-long process where were asked share work, respond other teams, contemplate own learning member team. Main Results Using structure direct allowed meet stated goals spending all available funds relevant materials within time frame allotted. This style collaborative benefitted recognition interrelated information needs, willingness prioritize experimentation over seeking formal training, centering planning stages, practicing powerful tool. Additionally, noted strengthening core skills held value libraries, such leadership management. Task-oriented included capabilities like data visualization operational analysis progressed by working cross-functional teams. offered guidance applying these lessons situations can be generalized fit projects. Conclusion Based adopting practices, scalable approaches implementing speak employee buy-in overall impact projects undertaken this manner. Training reflects library’s authentic level investment Agile, whether minimal or extensive, is crucial realizing positive outcomes. recognized resistance change discomfort under transparent conditions will present challenges many aligning workflows methodology. However, did shifts toward more shared individual levels. While failure visible therefore intimidating, librarians find themselves able correct mistakes efficiently.