By Daniel Sinek, Synthesis Marketing Intern
Business is dynamic. Fortune 500 companies are successful because they can adapt responsively. One savvy way to join their ranks is by using an Agile methodology.
The Agile methodology is a cyclical process that is best suited for dynamic business environments that evolve. Agile refers to an organisations’ ability to adapt to situations by allocating the necessary internal resources as they are required, organisations can overcome any challenges in real-time. Agile is not something that can simply be taught and applied – it requires the synchronisation of thinking, resources, ability and approach.
If an organisation wants to operate Agile, they need to think agile and commit to the process. By embarking on an agile journey, there are several inherent benefits that may aid your organisation but first, let us start with why you should use Agile.
The |why|
Agile enables organisations to empower their employees to think abstractly, be creative, and enhance value by overcoming challenges through enhanced internal efficiencies. By empowering your employees with the ability to act swiftly, your organisation will be able to go to market quicker and continuously improve the value for customers.
By using the organisation’s why as a starting point, operations can be fulfilled to aid the achievement of the organisational vision. There are several inherent benefits of Agile.
The first benefit arises through the utilisation of an agile approach in conjunction with technology. This combination speeds up the provision of value to customers.
Secondly, instead of using the generic waterfall approach that requires copious amounts of planning – Agile shortens the planning time and prioritises the creation of value-enriched software. Any issues with software that are identified after deployment when using waterfall methodologies will be pushed forward into phase two to avoid scope creep. However, Agile allows the organisation to identify these issues as they go along, and simultaneously fix them. This translates into highly-valuable, working software.
While minimising delays and adopting an agile approach – organisations can spend more time creating and optimising as opposed to planning.
The |how|
To start Agile, it is important to understand that Agile is a set of beliefs that guide decision making within an organisation to ensure the delivery of optimal value for customers. By using a set of principles and values to loosely guide decision-making within an organisation – the value creation can be much greater.
We use Agile at Synthesis because it is optimal for software development. Agile allows us to deploy, test and optimise software to ensure value for our clients and optimal customer satisfaction. Good software can last forever and therefore, we troubleshoot as we go along which ensures our clients a minimal viable product (MVP) that can be updated as feedback is received. This provides our customers with a competitive advantage as they are enabled to be first to market, and simultaneously provide their customers with high-value products. Agile also enables organisations to be faster with the provision of a proof of concept.
When starting with Agile, do not try and transform your entire business, its processes and/or systems. Start where you are and iterate.
Identify pain points and work to transform them one at a time. Identify what works, and apply those learning elsewhere. Business is dynamic, and Agile is the future.
