Agile Adoption: Is the Use of Agile Project Management Still Growing?

The short answer

Agile is widely used, especially in software, and it has spread beyond software. But the surveys do not show a simple rise in pure agile. They show something more mixed: many organizations blend agile with other methods, and the strongest recent growth figures are for hybrid approaches. Treat “agile is increasing” as partly true, and watch what is meant by “agile.”

What the surveys say

These are the main sources people cite. Each measures something different, so do not stack them into one trend line.

One piece of arithmetic is worth checking. Going from 20 percent to 31.5 percent is a rise of 11.5 percentage points, which is a 57.5 percent increase relative to the starting level. Both numbers are true; they just say different things. Be careful which one a headline uses.

Why the numbers mislead

1. Different people were asked. One survey covers software professionals, another project managers across industries, another mostly coaches at large firms. Their answers will differ even if reality is the same.
2. “Using agile” means different things. It can mean daily stand-ups, a full Scrum setup or nothing more than short planning cycles. PMI’s 2021 report does not define agile, hybrid or predictive approaches in the text we checked.
3. Many surveys come from people with a stake. Tool vendors and professional bodies benefit when the topic looks important. That does not make their data wrong, but it does mean you should read the sample and method.
4. Self-selection. People who answer a survey about agile are more likely to care about agile.
5. Surveys change from year to year. Questions, samples and wording change, so year-on-year comparisons across different reports are unreliable.

The real growth story: hybrid

PMI’s blog describes hybrid approaches as becoming “the next management trend in organizations,” and says its Pulse research shows comparable rates of project performance regardless of the approach used. It also describes a shift toward choosing a fit-for-purpose approach rather than one framework for the whole organization. Digital.ai’s latest report points the same way, with most respondents using hybrid, blended or homegrown models.

For you, that means the useful skill is not loyalty to a label. It is knowing which practices to use for which kind of work. Our guides to the five phases of project management and the iron triangle explain the planning side that hybrid approaches often keep.

Why teams adopt agile, and what stops them

Reasons given. Among respondents happy with agile in the 17th State of Agile, almost 60 percent reported improved collaboration and 57 percent better alignment to business needs. These are self-reported views, not measured results.

Barriers. The same report names organizational resistance to change and insufficient understanding among leadership as the two main reasons agile does not scale. In the 18th report, 76 percent cite increased scrutiny of agile’s business impact and return on investment, which suggests the early enthusiasm is now being tested.

Taken together, the pattern is familiar: the tools and rituals are easy to adopt, but the habits around them, such as clear priorities, quick decisions and honest reporting, are harder. For related project risks, see the top 10 project management challenges.

Agile, predictive or hybrid: how to choose

This table is our own rule of thumb, not a standard.

What it means for your career

• Learn the principles, not just one framework. Employers use different labels for similar practices.
• Keep your planning skills. Hybrid roles want people who can handle both schedules and iterations.
• Be ready to show results. With scrutiny rising, being able to connect agile work to a business outcome is useful.
• Consider a credential if it fits. See our agile management certificate guide.
• Look at specialist roles. One example is covered in our agile coach career profile.

How to check adoption in your own field

1. Read 20 job postings for the roles you want, and count how many name an agile or hybrid method.
2. Ask in interviews how work is planned and reported, not just whether the team is “agile.”
3. Check who ran any survey you are asked to trust: sample, year, and who paid.
4. Ask peers in your industry what is actually used day to day.

Common mistakes

• Treating agile as no planning. The Agile Manifesto values responding to change over following a plan, but it does not say plans are worthless.
• Copying a framework wholesale. Take what fits the work.
• Quoting one survey as proof. Compare several, and read the sample.
• Adopting rituals without changing decisions. Daily meetings do not help if priorities are unclear.
• Ignoring measurement. Track one or two outcomes, such as cycle time or customer satisfaction, to see if the change helped. Our guide to five useful metrics can help.

Learn more

If you want structured learning, online providers such as Coursera and Udemy list agile and Scrum courses at different levels. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no cost to you. We are not affiliated with any university. Check the syllabus before you pay. Our agile guides collect related reading.

Frequently asked questions

Is the use of agile project management increasing?

Agile is widely used, mostly in software, and has spread to other areas. But recent surveys point to growth in hybrid approaches rather than pure agile, and the numbers are not directly comparable across reports.

What percentage of companies use agile?

It depends on the survey. One 2024 report found 71 percent of software professionals use agile in their software lifecycle. Another found 74 percent of mostly large-enterprise respondents use hybrid or blended models. No single figure fits all industries.

Is agile replacing waterfall?

Not entirely. Many organizations use both, and PMI reports growth in hybrid use from 20 percent in 2020 to 31.5 percent in 2023. Predictive methods remain common where scope and rules are fixed.

Does agile work better than traditional project management?

PMI says its research shows comparable project performance regardless of the approach used. Fit with the work and how well the approach is applied matter more than the label.

What is hybrid project management?

A blend of predictive and agile practices, such as a fixed overall plan with iterative delivery inside it. Organizations define it differently.

Why do agile transformations fail?

Surveys cite organizational resistance to change and weak leadership understanding. Others struggle to link agile work to business results.

Is agile used outside software?

Yes, in adapted forms, though we found no survey figures to quote for specific functions. Digital.ai’s 17th report says engineering and R&D are the fastest-growing adopters, without giving figures.

Do I need an agile certification?

Not always. Certification can help signal knowledge, but employers care about results and practical experience too. Check job postings for your target roles.