IT'S YOUR AGILE TRANSFORMATION
WE ARE YOUR COMPASS!
Not all Transformations begin at the same place, and different circumstances can lead you down roads that take all sorts of unexpected turns. However, there are certain “landmark” questions that are common to just about everyone on an agile journey. At ezTagile, it is our mission and our pleasure to guide you through this process. To help you get started, we have provided answers to some of the “landmark” questions you might be asking.
First things first...
What is an Agile Transformation?
Agile transformations are a unique experience for everyone that undergoes them. How and when you make the transformation depends on your circumstances and the problems you are trying to solve. It may involve restructuring and tool enablement, or it may not; but no matter the tailoring or the specifics of the process, successful Agile Transformations always lead to a flexible, collaborative, and self-organizing environment. In the end, Agile Transformations may mean new processes and procedures, but their most meaningful result is the change in mindset that leaves organizations efficient, effective, and ready to embrace change.
How do I get Started?
The first step is always recognizing that you want to change. Once you have decided that Agile is right for you, your next move is to find and reach out to an expert who can help you plan your transformation and set you up for success with the necessary tools and training. The road to Agile can be challenging to navigate alone, but if you’re here, you’re already headed in the right direction!
First things first...
What is an Agile Transformation?
Agile transformations are a team's transition into becoming Agile, and are a unique experience for everyone that undergoes them. How and when you make the transformation depends on your circumstances and the problems you are trying to solve. It may involve restructuring and tool enablement, or it may not; but no matter the tailoring or the specifics of the process, successful Agile Transformations always lead to a flexible, collaborative, and self-organizing environment. In the end, Agile Transformations may mean new processes and procedures, but their most meaningful result is the change in mindset that leaves organizations efficient, effective, and ready to embrace change.
How do I get started?
The first step is always recognizing that you want to change. Once you have decided that Agile is right for you, your next move is to find and reach out to an expert who can help you plan your transformation and set you up for success with the necessary tools and training. The road to Agile can be challenging to navigate alone, but if you’re here, you’re already headed in the right direction!
Getting in the right mindset...
What does embracing change look like?
You’ve heard it said over and over, “Embrace Change,” but that doesn’t need to mean blindly following in the wrong direction. Rather, it encourages openness to concepts that might seem strange or new while also considering how those concepts might be applied and how that might affect your work. After all, Agile is about flexibility and effectiveness, and our mission at ezTagile is to find the best fit for you. Listen, experiment, and be listened to in turn. That is how you embrace change – and more importantly – that is how you grow.
Why should we leave our comfort zone?
We know that change is difficult. Old habits die hard and moving in an unfamiliar direction can be scary. Not feeling ready for the changes you’ve planned is perfectly natural and continuing to do things the way they have been done will always be appealing. However, it is important to remember that you sought out these changes for a reason: the old way of doing things wasn’t good enough. It is also important to keep in mind that every leap or bound you make during your transformation affirms your ability to be Agile by embracing change, even late in the game.
Mapping your position... ...
What is discovery?
Believe it or not, discovery is just what it sounds like. It involves conducting interviews and collecting data about your organization that will tell map out how you operate, where you have problems, what you do well, what can and can’t change, and so on. It is a learning stage that must take place before a proper solution can be provided.
Do we really have to go through discovery?
For some, discovery can seem like an overwhelming and tedious process, but it is a necessary step in your Agile Transformation. How long it takes depends a lot on the size and structure of your company, not to mention your activity level. Sometimes the process takes days, other times it takes weeks, but it is important to remember that it is a crucial part of mapping your problem and providing a reasonable and effective solution. After all, it is difficult to choose the correct path when you don’t know where you are or where you’re going.
Lending a helping hand...
Do we really need coaching?
At first glance, coaching might seem like an unnecessary addition for those with a lot of agile training or experience. However,while training and experience are necessary parts of any agile transformation, they are NOT a replacement for coaching. Training is about collecting knowledge and learning new skills while coaching is focused on meeting you where you are and enhancing the knowledge you already have. The question is less about whether or not you will benefit from coaching - any professional athlete will tell you the answer is always yes - and more about what kind of coaching will help you meet your goals and when it will have the greatest impact.
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How to reinvent the wheel...
Why does Agile promote innovation?
It’s true that necessity is the mother of invention, but it’s important to remember that we also need to make room for it. Unbudging schedules, inflexible policies, and fear are poor cultivators of creativity. Agile principals, on the other hand, are all about efficiency, openness, and adaptability. When teams have access to this, they not only have the time and the encouragement they need to try new things, but they are not afraid to make mistakes and come up with new and creative solutions. Put simply, Agile promotes innovation because the ability to change and create is agile’s very nature.
Keeping things positive...
How does Agile promote team engagement?
Agile gives teams the tools and the trust they need, not only to do their jobs, but to do their jobs well. It is governed by “People First” principals that empower team members to take initiative and solve problems while also focusing on clarity, communication, and flexibility. Each of these contributes to the effectiveness and overall happiness of an organization's team members. When correctly implemented, agile’s overall effect is a positive one that increases engagement, and with it, innovation, employee satisfaction, and loyalty to the organization.