Top 3 Agile Trends for 2025

Over the last three months I’ve been doing a lot of reading/studying through different publications, blogs, LinkedIn looking for what I think is going to be big in 2025 to prepare for the next wave of what I call “AWESOMENESS in Agile,” feel free to steal that if you like. Here are my Top 3 Awesome Things I see coming that are the most critical trends in 2025, along with expanded data, actionable insights and where I read it, just in case you want more insight.

𝟭. 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

In my last post I wrote that I was most excited about AI and automation when SAFe discussed AI in there Day 1 talks, well this topic is going to drive massive efficiency gains in Agile workflows. In 2025 I see more and more AI tools that will handle routine tasks like reporting, scheduling, and analysis, speeding up processes and eliminating a lot of the human error we see daily at the team level, up through ARTs and the PI Planning ceremony. As AI matures its role in Agile, AI will go beyond automation and dive into more predictive work. Leaders in this space should be excited about this investment because eliminating error will gain more predictability and reduce more escape defects. What does that mean for companies? Cha-ching baby!!!

𝙺̲𝚎̲𝚢̲ ̲𝙳̲𝚊̲𝚝̲𝚊̲:̲

• According to McKinsey, companies that embrace AI-driven decision-making will see productivity gains of 20-30%. AI models can identify potential project risks earlier, helping teams resolve issues before they escalate up the chain. Guess what leaders, this means you'll have more time focusing on high-value activities that directly contribute to your teams and organizational success. I know you love this idea!

• A survey by Deloitte showed that 62% of businesses who use AI in project management improved their project completion rates by more than 15%. Raise your hand if you want more of this in your life!

𝙷̲𝚘̲𝚠̲ ̲𝙸̲ ̲𝚙̲𝚕̲𝚊̲𝚗̲ ̲𝚝̲𝚘̲ ̲𝚕̲𝚎̲𝚟̲𝚎̲𝚛̲𝚊̲𝚐̲𝚎̲:̲

• I’m going to use AI-powered tools to analyze historical data and identify bottlenecks faster than manual methods. I can also use it for Retro Analysis and AI-based task suggestions too, increasing development time for the team.

• My love for automating repetitive tasks, like sprint progress tracking, with AI-based project management tools like Jira or Azure DevOps are going to help me save more time to do more productive coaching with C-suite on strategic initiatives and OKR alignment, ensuring the company I'm working with stays on track to meet their goals while continuously improving team performance.

𝟮. 𝗛𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀

The hybrid approach to Agile is growing, you see it in many job listings right here on LinkedIn, especially for large enterprises that can’t fully transition due to legacy systems or regulatory restrictions. This model balances Agile’s flexibility with the structure of traditional frameworks like Waterfall.

𝙺̲𝚎̲𝚢̲ ̲𝙳̲𝚊̲𝚝̲𝚊̲:̲

• Gartner estimates that by 2025, 45% of all large-scale projects will use hybrid Agile methods. Not my favorite way to do things but meeting the customer where they’re at is super important. I want to be customer centric when dealing with transformations ensuring that my approach fits their needs while still delivering value, fostering collaboration, and driving successful outcomes for their organization.

• In industries like healthcare and finance (where I’ve spent several years at a high-level), hybrid Agile is crucial. A report by PwC found that hybrid models improved project timelines by 22% in compliance-heavy sectors. While at SVB, in many areas we did just this, not forcing Agile on leaders, but working with them and producing quick wins to get them excited about this new agile journey.

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• Implementing hybrid Agile where compliance is a concern and being thoughful about using Waterfall for long-term planning and Agile for iterative product development.

• I want to focus Agile efforts on rapid customer feedback, while using Waterfall in areas that focus on risk management and documentation.

𝟯. 𝗔𝗴𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗧

Agile’s expansion outside IT is a major shift. I’m working and testing this right now in the high school in areas like HR, marketing, and even operations, where we are adopting Agile principles to improve efficiency and flexibility. This shift focuses on customer feedback, adaptability, and continuous improvement, values that are universally beneficial.

𝙺̲𝚎̲𝚢̲ ̲𝙳̲𝚊̲𝚝̲𝚊̲:̲

• A study by Forrester showed that Agile implementation in HR led to a 35% increase in employee satisfaction by speeding up recruitment cycles. Why wouldn’t you apply this to high-volume, daily operations? HR and marketing are critical areas, both in the short and long term, that drive companies forward.

• In marketing, Agile reduced time-to-market for campaigns by 28% across multiple sectors, as reported by Adobe’s Digital Trends Report. ***YELLING*** Hello Marketing People – Let agile folks do all the heavy lifting, while you look awesome in front of the client!

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• I would use Agile in HR for faster hiring cycles and better employee engagement. I'd start with low hanging fruit like streamlining the recruitment process, automating routine tasks like candidate screening, and improving onboarding workflows. This is an easy and quick win area that could save HR employees a ton of time if implemented correctly.

• Next, I'd apply Agile principles in marketing to test campaigns quickly and iterate based on real-time customer feedback. A great way to get feedback fast and move your campaigns forward in a more targeted way.

As we head into 2025, it's clear that Agile is evolving rapidly, and you need to be prepared to leverage these trends effectively. AI and automation will continue to optimize workflows, removing manual bottlenecks and reducing errors at every level. Hybrid Agile models are becoming more relevant, especially for organizations dealing with complex compliance requirements, and will provide a balanced approach between Agile flexibility and traditional control. Finally, Agile is expanding beyond IT, making its way into departments like HR and marketing, where it can drive significant efficiency gains.

The key here is for us as agilest to be more adaptable. The ability to combine these advancements with practical, customer-focused implementations will help drive success across all your teams. Staying ahead means we all can add continuously learning, experimenting, and integrating new tools and methods into our Agile processes. If you're not already thinking about how these trends will fit into your organization, you're going to miss opportunities for improvement. #OpenToWork #NoAIWasUsedInThisPost