Using Agile as a Framework for Digital Transformation in 2019 – TechJini

Robby Gupta

Agile is one of the widely used frameworks for project management. Over the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the adoption of agile methodology for the project management due to its simplicity and result-oriented approach.

85.9% of the developers surveyed in the Developer Survey by Stack Overflow reported using agile in their work. Agile has become an important part of how software projects are executed, managed, and delivered. Integrating Agile workflow across the organization system has become a top priority of companies venturing into digital transformation.

Today, agile isn’t just a tool for efficient project management; it has become a driving framework in the digital transformation of organizations. The modern approach to development enables developers to recheck for uncertainties and modify their goals based on the client’s feedback.

The role of agile in digital transformation

Digital transformation involves leveraging technology to drive a powerful and long-lasting change in the organization that affects the fundamental principles of operations. Thus, Agile serves as an exceptional tool to bring digital transformation as it simplifies how technology is utilized for managing the operations of the organization.

◙ Agile enables companies to offer iterations in products based on customer feedback. This keeps the whole process of development customer-centric by providing small iterations in the product according to the client’s requirements. This not only results in quicker product delivery but also transforms your relationship with the customer. Agile makes it possible to connect the customer with their product in a more efficient manner.

◙ Agile is a much broader approach to product & service delivery that its traditional counterpart, waterfall methodology. It drives a cultural shift in the organization by empowering employees and bringing more accountability in their operations. Switching from traditional working style will be difficult but this challenge helps the teams to grow and explore horizons of working where they didn’t venture before. If agile is anything, it is a framework by which employees can be prepared for bringing an organizational change.

Adopting agile for digital transformation

Agile provides stability and flexibility to employees in a dynamic environment and enables them to evolve with the organization. This is crucial to digital transformation as the world of technology changes rapidly in today’s fast-paced industries.

◙ Every organization has a different set of agile practices that they mix and match with their processes. Sometimes, this involves mixing agile with the waterfall approach or integrating agile with other agile practices. To transform the organization towards a customer-centric approach of working, agile methodology comes in much handier than the mix of agile and waterfall. It enables adapting to the rapid pace of changing customer requirements and delivering within the specified time frame

◙ The right work environment can do wonders for your team. Distributed agile teams are a frequent occurrence and to overcome this challenge, the right working environment built on information sharing and communication can mitigate your project management problems. When remote work comes into play, it is essential that all team players are informed on the progress of the project and how much effort each individual is making in the project delivery.

◙ Switching from traditional work cultural presents more challenges than one can imagine. Accepting and working with agile involves a shift in the mindset of employees that had a firm hold on the traditional approach to work. Agile involves communication, collaboration, and delivering value with a customer-centric approach. Proper training will enable a mindset shift and mitigate bottlenecks in the digital transformation process in terms of money, time, and effort. By integrating automation, metrics, and better execution, companies can develop a stronger agile team that can transform the entire organization.

◙ Many companies focus on implementing agile at a small scale, likely a dedicated part of the business that can be tested at an initial stage. For bringing a more positive digital transformation, integrating agile enterprise-wide and with cross-functional teams certainly presents a promising future for the organization. Driving an end-to-end agile transformation can be a challenge but with strong agile leadership, its value can be realized quickly. Maintaining a balance between cross-functional agile teams will foster better interaction and ensure complete compliance.

◙ Effective and efficient product delivery in agile is a result of continuous testing. Without testing and iterations, the entire structure of agile gets shaken. Testing calls for transforming the people, process, and technology involved in designing and execution of the product. The testing needs to be brought in much earlier in the development life cycle in order to base the product on the client’s requirements. By creating a dedicated testing center, companies can integrate testing across the entire product lifecycle.

Digital transformation is sure to change the way businesses operate and agile methodology is the guiding beacon to capitalize on this change and revolutionize the entire business.

Bottom Line

Agile methodology can be seen as a major player in bringing a digital transformation in any organization, be it big or small. While there are several challenges involved in deploying this change, prioritizing the transformation using agile can mitigate any early losses.

Agile involves aligning the business with technology which will serve as the foundation for all your operational activities. This includes people, processes, and products & services, which are at the core of any business activity.

With agile, the transformation becomes easier because it simplifies the change by providing a framework that enables the organization to deliver better products and smooth customer experience.

By allowing the organization to work more collaboratively, agile ensures that these companies can deliver better value and increase their visibility with digital technologies. Agile is thus, at its core, a methodology that can digitally revolutionize the existing workflow and build winning products for customers everywhere.

TechJini is a leading agile development company that makes your brand alive by providing hand-crafted solutions for bringing a digital transformation. Get in touch with us today for a customer-centric approach to building products and delivering delightful user experiences.