An agile transformation is relatively self-explanatory: It refers to an organization’s shift to agile ways of working. However, the transformation can be complex, and its success depends on an organization-wide investment.
Agile workplaces are generally adaptable, streamlined, and flexible. Compared to the traditional workplace model, an agile workplace is primarily focused on efficient goal completion. Traditional project management tends to be linear, and progress depends on adherence to strict hierarchies and chains of command. By contrast, agile ways of working emphasize adaptability to changing circumstances. In an agile environment, employees learn to pivot quickly, if necessary, to a new and more efficient business strategy. Agile methodologies prioritize continuous improvement, clear and delineated priorities, and increased collaboration.
For the agile transformation leadership team, the transformation itself becomes an agile task. Leaders focus on their employees’ true capabilities, not on abstract completion dates that do not reflect a realistic timeline.
An agile transformation touches nearly all aspects of an organization: It can impact the corporate governance structure, workplace culture, planning, and decision-making processes, the delivery pipeline, and team members’ responsibilities and direct reports. Customer feedback is also essential to the process.
Agile methodologies are most clearly visible during project management. Agile project management is both iterative and incremental: Agile teams repeat and refine their steps until successful product delivery, but delivery itself happens piece by piece. (For example: Product development engineers gradually make software components available, and customers access new features over some time.)
To successfully transform a company into an agile workplace, it is necessary that everyone involved embraces an agile methodology. An agile transformation’s success depends on employees’ faith and investment in the process.
The business benefits of an agile transformation are enticing enough: Agile methodologies produce greater efficiency, higher customer satisfaction scores, less waste, and more time saved.