Jul 2026: An Introduction to Agile Project Management for Publishing

Overview

The ‘Agile’ methodology is designed to optimize team performance by instilling three core principles: a shared sense of purpose, the autonomy to self-organize, and a passion for continuous improvement. 

With tools and techniques to enable fast and effective vision-setting, customer engagement, product development, prioritization, planning & forecasting, progress tracking & reporting, inter- and intra-team collaboration, and continuous improvement, Agile provides a lightweight yet comprehensive framework that can be adopted by new and established teams alike. 

Using state-of-the art digital technology to create a fully immersive, interactive and creative learning environment, this course demonstrates how publishers of all shapes and sizes can harness the power of digital to collaborate in fun, engaging and practical ways that bring out the best in global team working and get results that everyone can be proud of. Expect a high level of participation from the start – this course will be highly interactive! 

Please note: Delegates will not receive a recording of the training course. Read helpful information for delegates attending. 

What will you learn? 

After the session you will be able to: 

• Name the key Agile terms and concepts and explain what they mean for publishers operating in a digital-first world 
• Apply the key Agile processes, tools, and techniques to your own team 
• Distinguish between the different roles & responsibilities on an Agile team 
• Continually develop and enhance new and existing products and services 
• Instill a culture of adaptation and continuous improvement 
• Create a strong sense of mission and shared purpose 
• Collaborate creatively and effectively in a fully digital environment. 

Who should attend? 

The training is suitable for anyone who works in publishing, at any level of experience, in any country or region. It will be especially useful for people who work in Project and programme management and delivery, Product development, Customer relations, Marketing and Sales, Executive and leadership roles, Web development, Digital, and Technology roles, and Learning & Development and HR roles.

Programme

Pre-course: Day 0 - Tech Check - c15 mins

In advance of attending Day 1, all participants need to review and complete a Tech Check document. Once you receive a copy of this document from the facilitator, make sure you have everything in place so that you can tick all the boxes confirming you have everything you need to start the programme.

6 July 2026, 14:00-16:00 BST: Day 1 - Creating our product backlog - 120 mins

• Introductions and warm-up
• Populating our product backlog
• Release planning.

A chance for everyone on the programme to introduce themselves and share what ‘Agile’ means to them. We will then work together to decide what specific aspects of Agile people want to learn about and agree on a prioritized “product backlog” of all the things to be covered during the programme. We’ll then do some ‘release planning’ to decide which things to cover in each of the three Sprints that will take place over the following sessions, and load up our Kanban Board!

7 July 2026, 14:00-16:00 BST: Day 2 - Sprint 1 - 120 mins

• Sprint 1 planning
• Sprint 1
• Sprint 1 review and retrospective.

A brief review of the items that we agreed to cover in Sprint 1 to make any last-minute adjustments, before jumping straight into the ‘Sprint’, a 90-minute session in which the facilitator will cover the key learning items using a combination of Powerpoint slides, live web tool demonstrations, inviting participation via group discussion, polls, interactive whiteboards, and conversations in smaller groups using virtual breakout rooms. After the 90 minutes are up, the group will do a review and retrospective on how the session went to assess progress and identify ways to improve the next Sprint.

8 July 2026, 14:00-16:00: Day 3 - Sprint 2 - 120 mins

• Sprint 2 planning
• Sprint 2
• Sprint 2 review and retrospective.

Following the exact same format as Sprint 1, only this time covering the learning items that were assigned to Sprint 2.

9 July 2026,14:00-16:00:  Day 4 - Sprint 3 - 120 mins

• Sprint 3 planning
• Sprint 3
• Release review and retrospective.

Same format again, this time covering the learning items assigned to Sprint 3, and finishing off with a ‘release’ review and retrospective to reflect back on the programme as a whole.

VAT Information:

• UK customers: 20% UK VAT applies
• EU VAT-registered customers: VAT reverse-charged (valid VAT number required)
• Customers outside the UK and EU: No UK VAT charged.

By booking this event you are agreeing to ALPSP's Terms & Conditions

Speakers

Andrew Miller

Global OD Specialist, Learning & Organizational Development, Taylor & Francis Group