Agile at scale

Organisations working in Agile-at-scale benefit most from higher employee collaboration.

An Agile transformation is iterative. It requires an organization to test, learn, and course correct as maturity evolves.  

 

From the initial stage of “Yet to begin any Agile transformation” to an “Agile-at-scale model”, we have identified and distinguished five stages of a typical Agile transformation.

Stage 1

Describes organizations that have not yet implemented Agile ways of working, though they may be considering piloting them in various parts of the organization.

Stage 2

Assumes that initial experiences with new ways of working have already been trialled typically in the form of one or more pilot teams used to demonstrate the value of transformation in the specific context of the organization.

Stage 3

Have the initial pilot teams’ experiences behind them and use the learnings from those teams to launch multiple Agile teams, however typically still within the same department of business line (and under the same leadership sponsorship) and implementing first elements of Agile-at-scale model that allow multiple teams to effectively collaborate and integrate the results of their work.

Stage 4

Assumes scaling of Agile ways of working to the broader organization, meaning efforts to launch and mature Agile teams outside of the initial department or business line reducing the number of frictions between Agile and non-Agile parts of the organisation and making sure the full Agile-at-scale model is defined and properly implemented.

Stage 5

Refers to organizations already working in Agile-at-scale model, with the entire organizations effectively using new ways of working, though some exceptions might still be possible – like sales, service, operations, and selected support functions still not fully embracing Agile ways of working. 

Our three-step structured and holistic approach for agile transformation helps organizations to assess if it is the right time to scale Agile in your organization and provides a direction forward.

Step 1: Get leadership buy-in

Describes organizations that have not yet implemented Agile ways of working, though they may be considering piloting them in various parts of the organization.

Step 2: Conduct diagnostics

Assumes that initial experiences with new ways of working have already been trialled typically in the form of one or more pilot teams used to demonstrate the value of transformation in the specific context of the organization.

Step 3: Develop a sustainable structure, define the work to be done and build teams with capability and plan frequently

Teams need to organized around the work they do. They also need to have the right capability to do to the work. The right support model around the teams is needed to roll out at scale. This support model includes the way the teams are organized (e.g. cross functional teams with between 7-10 people working on a goal known as a squad) and the way their practices are built around capabilities (known as chapters).  


Work within Agile at Scale organizations is prioritized through frequent planning known as the Quarterly Delivery Cycle (QDC).In this cycle, all work across all squads is prioritized and inter-dependencies addressed and funding allocated.

What are the benefits of agile transformation as organizations scale? 

Most organizations begin agile transformations with a similar goal in mind, increased speed to delivery. In our EFMA report on Business Agility there are three more benefits expected of 30-40% of organizations embarking on their agile journey: managing changing priorities effectively, increasing productivity, and increasing collaboration across the Business.

Once transformations are complete, survey insights show the greatest portion of our respondents observe increased collaboration. Over 50% of them observed increased collaboration, including 75% of organizations that specifically set out to achieve this goal.

Let us help you start your Agile at scale journey today. 

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