Agile methodologies are summarized in the institution of a paradigm that allows obtaining greater control in the management of processes and in the assurance that tasks will be executed within the anticipated times. Nowadays, it is perceived that these methodologies can be applied to different areas of business. It doesn’t need to be directly connected to the software development market.
Moving to an Agile methodology requires thorough preparation for implementation to be carried out with minimal damage and maximum results. It is a process that calls for a structural change in the modus operandi of organizations. For this reason, these actions cannot be carried out in a light manner, but through a joint movement, controlled and with the effort of all. It is critical for leaders to be in line with implementation and not look back.
Next, I go through the 5 points that clarify the road to an Agile mindset.
Consistency
This is one of the pillars of Agile methods. Team production in an Agile environment boils down to a way of working that increases the efficiency of human resources. Morning meetings are common at companies that adopt these methods. Regular checkpoints allow teams to adjust over time, aiming to complete projects on schedule, something that does not happen in teams that work in a disjointed and Gantt Chart-oriented way.
Customization
Each Agile structure must reflect an ecosystem, it has to imprint its own identity. The probability of success with copied models is notoriously lower, and may even be worse than the original model. The environment in which we are inserted is constantly changing, which forces us to have completely different dynamics and to rely on the elasticity necessary to adapt to this reality.
Creativity
A well structured agile system is a great promoter of creativity. Organizations start to listen. They give voice to all those who have a stake in the planning and execution processes. It would be irresponsible for an organization to assume that it does not need the knowledge of its employees to strengthen its own foundations.
This model is essentially horizontal. That is, it promotes dialogue between those who are part of the structure of the organization, bringing people together and giving space to new ideas. They are much more flexible dynamics that will boost results. The information flow will multiply, hence it is common to use the walls during the meetings to lay out points of view, without the space constraint imposed by sheets of paper or by the size of the computer monitor.
Productivity
The dynamics inserted in the organization through an Agile method will print a great mutation in productivity, mainly because of the speed they will print within the company where they are implemented. The resulting energy from the synergies that will be created will ensure deadlines, increase production speed, increase fault detection and increase quality.
Any organization that applies an appropriate method will feel a huge difference in terms of productivity. It will feel the organization moving to an improved, more modern and efficient version. Given the demands of the market, it is natural for companies to modernize or to close because of their inability to compete.
Motivation
Having the will to grow as background and to extract the best of each one, these methods focus on ensuring that companies offer the best possible conditions to stimulate the growth of their teams. For this reason, it is common to promote events outside and inside the premises of the company. No less important is the fact that space in a modern company transpires all this ideology, allowing everyone to be part of its construction and that the environment is a reflection of what is going on between walls.
An agile process is not a formula. It is a business culture that must be introduced and constantly improved. The moment it loses these characteristics it ceases to be known as Agile.
