In 2016 when Harvard Business Review's (HBR) "Embracing Agile" was released, it was talked about in board rooms and executive team meetings broadly. One might say that since the agile manifesto was published in 2001, this article had the next largest impact on furthering agile. This is especially true for leaders, who long believed agile was for software development only.
Here’s some of what’s changed in the last seven years.
- Increased Adoption of Agile: Since 2016, Agile methodologies have continued to gain popularity across various industries and domains. Many organizations have recognized the benefits of Agile approaches in improving efficiency, fostering collaboration, and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Scaling Agile: As Agile methodologies have spread to larger and more complex problem solving and programs, there has been a growing focus on scaling Agile practices to accommodate larger teams and organizations. Some frameworks like SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), LeSS (Large-Scale Scrum), and Nexus have emerged to help address these challenges.
- Agile in Non-IT Fields: Initially, Agile was mostly associated with software development, but it has expanded beyond IT to other industries such as marketing, HR, finance, and manufacturing. The principles and practices of Agile have been adapted to suit the specific needs of these non-IT fields.
- Agile in Remote Work Environments: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote work practices. Agile teams have had to adapt to remote collaboration, virtual ceremonies, and online project management tools to maintain their effectiveness. Teams that were practicing agile ways of working pre-pandemic were more prepared to handle remote work.
- Integration of Agile and DevOps: DevOps practices have become more prevalent alongside Agile methodologies. The integration of development and operations teams has led to a faster and more reliable delivery pipeline for software and services.
- Focus on Business Agility: Rather than being limited to development, organizations have begun to focus on achieving business agility, which involves the ability to respond quickly and effectively to changes in the market, customer needs, and technology.
- Continuous Improvement and Experimentation: Agile organizations have embraced a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation. Companies have implemented feedback loops, retrospectives, and A/B testing to enhance their products and processes continually.
- Emergence of New Tools and Technologies: The Agile landscape has seen the emergence of various tools and technologies designed to support Agile practices, such as collaboration platforms, project management software, and virtual Kanban boards.
- Evolving Agile Frameworks and Methodologies: Agile frameworks and methodologies have continued to evolve, incorporating lessons learned and responding to the changing demands of the industry. Newer practices like Agile Marketing, Agile HR, and Agile Finance have emerged.
The Agile landscape is continuously evolving, with new functional areas adopting agile and lean practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness for organizations across the globe.?
