Overcoming Challenges in Agile Planning for Non-Profit Organizations
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-agstrpladptch-10
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About the Article
Non-profit organizations adopting agile methodologies face unique challenges, including cultural resistance, insufficient stakeholder engagement, and limited resources. This article explores the most common barriers to agile planning—unclear vision, inadequate training, over-commitment, and resistance to change—and provides structured strategies for overcoming them. Integrating change management models such as Kotter’s 8-Step Process, the ADKAR framework, and Lewin’s three-stage model, the paper presents practical approaches for guiding transformation and sustaining motivation. Case studies from development, education, and healthcare contexts demonstrate how vision boards, town halls, and SMART goal-setting foster alignment and engagement. Emphasizing both cultural and operational dimensions, the article argues that successful agile implementation depends on balancing flexibility with human-centered management. It contributes to scholarly dialogue on organizational adaptation and offers practitioners actionable methods for embedding resilience, participation, and sustainability within agile planning.
Key Topics
- Barriers to agile adoption in non-profits
- Change management frameworks (Kotter, ADKAR, Lewin)
- Resistance to change and cultural transformation
- Stakeholder engagement and communication
- Team motivation and recognition systems
- Sustainable agile practices in resource-constrained contexts
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Overcoming Challenges in Agile Planning for Non-Profit Organizations. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-agstrpladptch-10
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