Why Higher Ed Needs Agile and Predictive Project Management
Oct 29, 2025In higher education, project management doesn’t always look like it does in tech or construction. Universities operate within shared governance, endless committees, and constantly shifting priorities. Projects move forward in fits and starts—and leaders often ask, “Which framework should we use?”
That’s where Bridget Davis’s insights are so valuable. As a PMP and certified Scrum Master, she knows both worlds: the structured predictability of Waterfall and the flexible cycles of Agile. What she’s learned is that higher education leaders rarely need just one approach. Instead, they thrive when they blend both.
Take course development, for example. Deadlines are non-negotiable, accreditation standards are rigid, and approval processes can be slow. That calls for predictive planning. But within those boundaries, teams still need the creativity and adaptability of Agile to meet student needs, embrace new technologies, and pivot when something unexpected—like AI—reshapes the landscape.
Bridget reminds us that effective project management in higher ed isn’t about forcing a framework. It’s about curiosity, flexibility, and knowing your team and stakeholders well enough to design the right process for them. Sometimes that means detailed upfront planning. Sometimes it means sprinting through iterations. Most of the time, it means a hybrid of both.
For higher education leaders, the lesson is clear: stop trying to fit every project into a single mold. Instead, ask what the project demands, what your team needs, and how to balance structure with agility. That’s where the real innovation begins.
Reflection Prompt:
Think of a current project you’re leading. Which elements require structure and predictability—and where could Agile cycles help you adapt more effectively?
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