An often overlooked and underappreciated aspect of project schedules is the consequences of delay on others. Due dates and commitments sometimes matter more than they appear. Knowing the larger context of your project can help you prioritize how you undertake it, consider options, and improve problem-solving.

The next time you’re designing an “awesome” new feature, take a step back and think, awesome for whom? Is this the kind of feature that will be understood and enjoyed by your target users? Or should you rethink how it might be perceived by your audience? When it comes to design, you have to know your users.

If you bring in an agile coach and methodically take all the right steps toward transforming your team into a faster, more iterative group, it’s very likely that agile will work for you. However, if you find that your projects are struggling and turn to agile as a Band-Aid, don't expect results.