Author: Garima Vyas 

Fundraising Chairperson, AWIS Houston

Practice Director, Indigo Beam

Oct 21, 2024

Hi, I’m Garima, and over my 15+ years in STEM and tech leadership, I’ve learned that productivity isn’t just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. In fast-paced, high-performing environments, it’s easy to get lost in the to-do lists and deadlines. But the real key to unlocking productivity? It lies in fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous progress. Not just working faster or harder but delivering consistent value, setting clear expectations, and fostering a culture of collaboration and progress. One of the most powerful frameworks I’ve found for unlocking productivity? Agile.

From Overwhelmed to Organized

When I first started managing large projects, the sheer volume of tasks could feel overwhelming. The constant pressure to deliver made it tempting to perfect every detail before moving on to the next task. But I soon realized this approach slowed us down, limiting both creativity and momentum.

Agile changed that. By planning in small, manageable increments—quarterly value mapping sessions followed by sprint planning—our team could visualize the entire scope of work without getting lost in the details. We learned to adjust as we went, pivoting when necessary without losing sight of our long-term goals.

Agile: The Productivity Multiplier

Agile isn’t just a project management tool—it’s a mindset that emphasizes transparency, feedback, and adaptability. Here’s how Agile transforms productivity:

• Small increments, big impact: Breaking the work into sprints not only makes the workload feel more manageable but also helps everyone—from the team to the stakeholders—understand what’s happening and when.
• Continuous feedback loops: Feedback is at the heart of Agile. By regularly reflecting on what’s working and what isn’t, you can make informed decisions and adapt quickly. In one project, we uncovered a bottleneck during a retrospective, made a quick pivot, and saw an immediate increase in productivity.

Turning Feedback Into Progress

One of the most underestimated elements of Agile is the retrospective. It’s not just a box to check at the end of the sprint—it’s a goldmine for uncovering insights that drive progress.

In a recent project, our team discovered that misaligned expectations were slowing us down. Instead of waiting until the end of the project to address it, we used feedback from our sprint reviews to adjust our approach. That small shift helped us stay on track and, more importantly, made room for innovation by freeing up time that was previously wasted on miscommunication.

3 Ways Agile Unlocks Productivity:

1. Plan in Small Increments: Quarterly planning sessions allow the team and stakeholders to identify key work before diving into sprints. This sets clear expectations and avoids last-minute surprises.
2. Embrace Feedback Loops: Retrospectives and sprint reviews create a culture of continuous improvement, where small adjustments can lead to big breakthroughs.
3. Focus on Progress, Not Perfection: Perfectionism can stall progress. Agile teaches us that it’s okay to iterate—delivering value consistently is far more important than polishing every detail.

Final Thoughts

Unlocking productivity isn’t about adding more hours to the day or pushing yourself of your team harder. It’s about creating a system that allows for progress, reflection, and continuous improvement. Agile is one of the best tools for achieving this. By focusing on progress over perfection and using feedback as a guide, you can lead your team to success while making room for creativity and innovation.

At AWIS Houston, we believe that empowering women in STEM isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about fostering a community where support, growth, and collaboration thrive. As the Fundraising Chairperson of AWIS Houston, I’ve seen firsthand how this organization helps women at every stage of their STEM journey unlock their potential and drive meaningful impact.

Whether you’re a student, a seasoned professional, or someone navigating the early stages of your STEM career, AWIS Houston provides the resources, mentorship, and community to help you succeed. Join us at one of our upcoming events, network with fellow professionals, and take the next step in your career. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Get involved and be a part of this powerful community!
Visit AWIS Houston’s Website for more information and upcoming events.

Written by Garima Vyas, a seasoned leader in the product and tech industry, former President, and current Fundraising Chairperson of AWIS Houston. Garima is passionate about advocating for women in STEM and helping them succeed through self-advocacy, mentorship, and continuous learning.