Empirical Research on Utilization of Agile Project Management for Establishing Scheduling Systems in Construction Industry

Abstract

This study explores the use of Agile Project Management (APM) to enhance scheduling efficiency in Sri Lanka’s construction industry. With increasing project complexity and delays, the need for flexible and adaptive scheduling has driven interest in agile methodologies. The research aims to evaluate APM’s applicability, assess its impact on scheduling, identify implementation challenges, and propose strategies for effective adoption. Key practices such as iterative planning, Scrum, and Kanban are examined for managing construction schedules. The introduction highlights challenges in traditional scheduling and APM’s potential to address inefficiencies. The literature review compares agile and traditional project management, explores global and local APM adoption, and identifies best practices in agile scheduling. The qualitative methodology includes interviews with five major construction firms in Sri Lanka’s Western Province and thematic analysis of findings. The study reveals the adoption of iterative planning, real-time feedback, and agile tools, improving flexibility and responsiveness. Leadership support, continuous training, and an agile-friendly environment emerge as critical success factors. Benefits include enhanced stakeholder collaboration and proactive risk management, while challenges such as resistance to change and hierarchical barriers are Acknowledged. Strategies for effective agile adoption, including leadership involvement, ongoing training, and hybrid project management models, are proposed to overcome these challenges. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on agile adoption in construction, particularly in Sri Lanka, aiming to improve project scheduling and management practices.