Leading an Agile team calls for unexpected changes and typical project management tactics. You simply can't approach an Agile project with the same mentality as you usually use. Agile teams are self-organized, self-directing, and lack a hierarchical structure that often defines project management.

But even with the lack of common elements, you can be a team leader and guide your project to success. Even if you're not familiar with coding or software development, understanding the Agile manifesto, and the basics of Agile project management, you can be a valued part of the team.

Within this book, you'll learn:

• The principles of Agile development
• Different methods to guide your team toward success
• How to keep team members accountable
• Your role within the Agile team and how to best act as a leader
• How to address conflict and tension within your team
• Valuable tools to use to help your team communicate clearly and collaborate effectively
• How to manage the events that drive Agile projects

Managing an Agile project can go smoothly if you use the principles and constructs of an Agile team the way they were intended. Some modern tools have made that even easier, but you'll always need to have a grip on the human element of team management as well. By expanding your knowledge of Agile, you can balance the importance of people, the usefulness of tools, and the value of the principles laid out in the Agile manifesto.