“The key to a project’s success lies not only in planning, but also in the flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.” – We-love-projects.com
In today’s construction and project world, architects and builders face the challenge of finding a balance between traditional project management and modern, flexible methods. The way a construction project is implemented can be crucial for the success and satisfaction of all involved. A classic approach pursues a certain degree of structure and predictability that offers security, but often leaves less room for adjustments.
In contrast, agile methods enable a more dynamic approach that allows teams to adapt to changing requirements and needs. By comparing these two approaches, we gain insights not only into the advantages and challenges of each method, but also into the opportunities that arise when combining different strategies. In this article, we take a look at both approaches – classic house construction and the agile construction process – and examine how they manifest themselves in practical application.
house construction in the classical sense
Building a house using classical project management methods means that the entire process is highly structured and sequentially organized. Here are the most important steps:
Planning and Design: The process begins with a careful needs analysis and the development of a detailed plan. Architects and engineers create blueprints, while a budget and timeline are established. This often occurs in several phases: preliminary design, design planning, and approval planning.
Approval Phase: After the draft is completed, all necessary approvals must be obtained from the responsible authorities. This can take varying amounts of time depending on the region.
Tendering and Awarding: In this phase, construction companies and subcontractors are selected. A detailed tender is carried out so that the costs are transparent and comparable.
Construction execution: The house is built in phases: foundation, shell, roof, installations (electrical/plumbing), and interior finishing. Each phase has a timeframe, and progress is documented.
Acceptance and handover: Upon completion of the building, a technical inspection will be carried out. All defects will be documented, and after these have been rectified, the house will be finally handed over to the owner.
House construction with agile methods
Agile methods in house construction imply a more flexible approach that relies on iterative processes and cross-functional collaboration. Here are some steps on how this process might look:
Stakeholder involvement: At the beginning, an interdisciplinary team consisting of architects, civil engineers, craftsmen, and future residents is formed. This representative group of participants ensures that all perspectives and needs are incorporated into the construction.
Iterative Planning: Instead of creating a detailed, complete plan, projects are divided into smaller, manageable parts – known as “sprints.” Each sprint includes specific tasks to be completed within a defined period (e.g., two weeks).
Regular Reviews: After each sprint, the achieved results are reviewed, and the results are shared with stakeholders. Feedback is collected to incorporate adjustments or improvements for the next sprint.
Flexibility in design: Changes to the plans can be made at any time during the construction process to better meet the needs of the residents. Agile methods promote adaptability and creativity, allowing newly emerging ideas and challenges to be quickly integrated.
Conclusion and Evaluation: Upon completion of the construction project, the results will be jointly reviewed. The team reflects on the entire process to learn from the experiences and use them for future projects.
These differently structured approaches allow for the construction of a house to be designed both traditionally and modernly. While the classic approach offers a clear and predictable roadmap for all parties involved and is often integrated into deeply rooted practices in the construction industry, the agile approach promotes creative problem-solving and a faster response to changes. This combination makes it possible not only to create a functional and aesthetic residential building, but also to flexibly respond to the individual needs and desires of the residents. This creates a space that is not only built, but also experienced together and constantly developed.
