4 Keys to Being an Agile Organization
Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes
Agile organizations share four common attributes, which are proven to make them successful when combined with a consistent Agile practice. Those four characteristics are that they:
Limit WIP (Work In Process)
Make changes quickly
Focus on Innovation
Automate as much as possible
In this article, I will go into depth on each of these key Agile attributions and how to go about achieving them to obtain a strong Agile culture within your organization.
Agile Organizations Limit Their WIP (Work In Process)
Work in Process (WIP) is a term used in Agile to describe the state of incomplete work, or work that has been started and is currently in the process of being completed. While WIP’s origin comes from software development, it can now also refer to other types of work, such as marketing and sales.
The goal of Agile is to deliver value to a customer as quickly as possible. To achieve this, Agile teams try to avoid having too much WIP. Having too much WIP can slow down the team and lead to problems like unfinished work, output that is difficult to change, and stagnation.
Agile teams typically use “WIP limits” to help them keep their WIP under control. WIP limits are a tool that can help teams to focus on completing work currently in process, rather than starting new work. They can also help to identify and solve problems that are causing work to pile up.
WIP limits are not a silver bullet, and they will not solve all of the team's problems. However, they can be a useful tool for helping teams to focus on delivering value quickly.
WIP is the silent killer of an organization that is struggling with being Agile. When I notice milestone deadlines being missed or quality of work declining, I always start by looking at a team’s WIP.
Agile Organizations Make Changes Quickly
Agile organizations excel at responding quickly and efficiently to changes in the market or customer needs. In an Agile practice done correctly, teams work together to constantly assess and improve their processes. This allows them to make changes quickly, while still maintaining a high level of quality. The Agile methodology also encourages collaboration and creativity, which can lead to better results when paired with this rapid pace of getting work done to bring value faster to the customer. If your company is looking for a way to make changes quickly and efficiently, consider adopting an Agile approach.
Agile Organizations Focus on Innovation
Companies who have strong Agile practices are laser focused on innovation. They're constantly looking for ways to improve their products and services, and they're always open to new ideas, all in the name of delivering more value. This means that they're always trying to find better ways to do things, and they're always open to change. This makes Agile organizations more flexible and adaptable than other companies, which can be a huge advantage in today's ever-changing marketplace.
One of the key ways that Agile companies foster innovation is by encouraging their employees to think outside the box. They know that the best ideas sometimes come from unexpected places, so they're always encouraging their team members to come up with new and innovative solutions. This culture of creativity can be a major advantage for any company, as it allows them to constantly improve and evolve their offerings.
In the past, I have facilitated “hackathon” events that are designed to get employees to work cross-functionally to develop new ideas or find ways to solve current problems. Events like this not only bring innovation but also are great for team-building and company culture.
Agile Organizations Automate As Much As Possible
As noted above, strong Agile organizations move quickly, and one aspect that makes that possible is the power of automation. With roots in manufacturing, automation has grown to be possible in just about every area of business operations. Agile organizations that take the time to conduct process improvement projects should seek to find any and all opportunities to automate tasks.
Process automation can bring a number of benefits to businesses, including increased efficiency, accuracy and productivity. By automating repetitive and time-consuming tasks, businesses can free up employees to focus on more value-added activities, which is a key component of a successful Agile practice. Process automation can also help to improve quality control by reducing the potential for human error. In addition, automated processes can provide businesses with a competitive advantage by helping to improve customer satisfaction and reduce costs.
Get Started Building Your Agile Organization
Most organizations that adopt an Agile approach get started by using Scrum. I have numerous resources that can walk you through Scrum and give you a jump on understanding how to change the way you work to deliver more value to your customers. This video also provides some high-level starting points for implementing an Agile culture.
