STOP "doing" AGILE

In the dynamic world of business, Agile has emerged as more than just a buzzword. It's a transformative approach that's reshaping how we work, collaborate, and deliver value. But beneath the practices and frameworks, there's a fundamental element that fuels Agile's power: values.

Agile is both a mindset and a set of principles. It's not a methodology in itself but values, as described in the Agile Manifesto at delivering a functional solution that meets the customer's needs is the priority. See more about agile values here

Therefore, understanding who the customers are - whether internal, external, or both - is vital.

Here's why:

1. Meeting Customer Needs: By identifying and understanding who the customers are, organizations can better align their products, services, and processes to meet their specific needs and expectations. This customer-centric approach enables businesses to deliver value and improve customer satisfaction.
2. Tailoring Solutions: Different customers may have unique requirements and preferences. By knowing who the customers are, organizations can tailor their solutions to address specific customer challenges and deliver personalized experiences. This level of customization can enhance customer loyalty and differentiate a business from its competitors.
3. Effective Communication: When organizations have a clear understanding of their customers, they can communicate more effectively. They can use appropriate language, channels, and formats that resonate with their target audience, leading to better engagement and comprehension of messages.
4. Prioritizing Resources: Understanding who the customers are allows organizations to prioritize their resources efficiently. It helps in allocating investments, focusing on areas that provide the most value to customers, and avoiding unnecessary expenditures on initiatives that may not align with customer needs.
5. Building Strong Relationships: Customer relationships are essential for long-term success. By identifying and understanding the customers, organizations can build strong, trust-based relationships. They can engage in meaningful interactions, gather feedback, and continuously improve their offerings to better serve their customers.

However, when there's a misalignment of values, problems can arise. This can lead to a lack of trust and transparency, resistance to change, and an excessive focus on processes over people. In such cases, the focus may shift too much towards "doing Agile" rather than "being Agile." #beagile #beagilescale

The Theranos Case: A Lesson in Transparency

The case of Theranos, a health technology company that claimed to have revolutionized blood testing, serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and honesty. The company's downfall was precipitated by a lack of transparency, leading to a significant breach of trust. This case underscores the importance of aligning values with actions, especially in Agile environments where innovation, trust and transparency are paramount.

One key lesson from the Theranos case is the danger of "fake it, till you make it" where organizations give the appearance of following rules without truly doing so. This can create a false sense of security and allow underlying problems to escalate.

To prevent such situations, strong organizational safeguards are essential. These safeguards provide checkpoints, ensuring that issues are promptly identified and addressed. They also promote transparency and accountability, discouraging behaviors that deviate from Agile values.

Lack of trust and transparency, resistance to change, and an excessive focus on processes over people can exacerbate existing challenges.

When Agile Values Are Misaligned: What Can Be Done?

When Agile values are misaligned, it's important to address the issue head-on. Here are some steps that can be taken:

1. Open Dialogue: Encourage open and honest communication. Discuss the misalignment openly and try to understand the root cause. This could be due to a lack of understanding of Agile values, or it could be due to deeper cultural issues within the organization.
2. Training and Education: Provide training and education on Agile values and principles. This can help everyone in the organization understand what Agile is truly about and why these values are so important.
3. Leadership: Leaders play a crucial role in setting the tone for the organization. They need to embody Agile values and lead by example. If leaders do not uphold these values, it's unlikely that the rest of the organization will.
4. Revisit Organizational Culture: If the misalignment is due to a mismatch with the broader organizational culture, it may be necessary to revisit and redefine that culture. This can be a long and challenging process, but it's essential for long-term Agile success.
5. External Help: Sometimes, it can be helpful to bring in an external Agile coach or consultant. They can provide a fresh perspective, identify areas of misalignment, and suggest ways to address them.

Remember, alignment of values doesn't happen overnight. It requires ongoing effort, patience, and commitment from everyone in the organization. But the payoff - a truly Agile organization where individuals are empowered, collaboration is the norm, and adaptability is embraced - is well worth it.

References:

1. The Agile Manifesto
2. 4 Lessons From Theranos For Entrepreneurs
3. Theranos' Bad Blood - Ethics Unwrapped
4. Zuber, N., Gogoll, J., Kacianka, S.?et al.?Empowered and embedded: ethics and agile processes.?Humanit Soc Sci Commun?9, 191 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01206-4
5. Smart quality assurance approach | McKinsey

Disclaimer: This blog post is not promotional and is based on my personal experiences and observations.