Balancing authority and autonomy in higher education by implementing an agile project management approach

Abstract

This article develops and implements an agile management approach in higher education. Such an approach follows core practices, such as project plans. The project manager has to identify the agility drivers that represent changes and pressures; prioritize agility capabilities to take advantage of changes; identify agility providers to obtain agility capabilities; and make managerial choices to manage the project. The object of the study is a department at a public university; it must follow the institutional framework and laws, and the university and faculty decisions, strategies and policies. The article discusses how agility can be created in such circumstances.