Many people use the term ‘agile organization’ when referring to their company. What does it mean exactly? We all know the dictionary explanation of agile. But, if someone were to ask you what it means to have an agile organization, what would you suggest as the meaning? According to the Merriam Webster definition, ‘agile’ means being able to move quickly and easily. In my experience I have included in the points below, defining what components an agile organization must have to identify what working towards being an agile organization may look like.
This may help clarify it for you too. What are the pieces a company must think of as important to be an adaptable organization/enterprise? It should be nimble, meaning adaptable to change. There could be several other important items as well. Ultimately, your company should strive to attain strategic excellence and being an agile organization can take you one step closer. Below are 5 ways your organization can become more agile.
- Chances are you cannot control continuous delivery dates of software. However, if you can create a team or teams to review customer input for suggested improvements, you can then help contribute to timely upgrades from the Development team.
- Being agile is having a flexible Development team in place to make sure user group inputs then move through the implementation process.
- To become more agile, have a person or persons communicate directly to IT for a better understanding of if the suggestions are viable and of the steps needed to develop the upgrade.
- Agile organizations additionally have a team or teams in place who are engaged. Engagement is necessary to ensure buy in from customers for new product updates and from the Development team to build these software updates.
- Communication is key. Distance is something many of us encounter. It has been suggested that weekly meetings with Development is essential. If your staff, like many of us, is working across multiple locations, regular team cadence calls can work rather than the face to face meetings.
These are a few points on what helps make an agile organization. If you know of any other areas that are important, please share them with me. Have you had any success in helping reshape your company into an agile organization?