Working in or on the system?

I recently came across a concept that deeply resonated with me, something I believe many Agilists, like myself, encounter in their professional journeys. Although the idea has been articulated in various ways before, the power of this particular statement struck me (See headline). Let me delve into the "System" aspect. It encompasses the way we work, interact, cooperate, organize, and act within the company—an overarching system that binds the company together.

As an Agilist, I often find myself assigned to team(s) aiming to embrace agile methodologies, particularly guided by Scrum. In essence, I become part of the system.

In this role, I strive to support and elevate the team(s) towards greater agility. However, I frequently encounter challenges within the system, factors surrounding the team(s) that appear to hinder the agile transformation. These challenges may manifest as entrenched "business as usual" practices, decision-making processes, testing methodologies, quality assurance procedures, financial structures, or even the overall organisational structures. In essence, I find myself working "in" the system.

This article aims to draw attention to companies aspiring to be agile but may not experiencing the full benefits. Often, the focus is on fixing issues "in" the system rather than working "on" the system.

The transition and transformation extend beyond individual teams. To realize the genuine benefits of agility, a broader perspective is necessary. It requires a commitment to working on the system of the entire company. Every individual within the organization must ask themselves, "How can we collectively work on the system to foster greater agility as a company?" This endeavor likely involves challenging the status quo, altering traditional practices, and, yes, even changing the way we think. Importantly, it involves everyone, including managers and CEOs.

This holistic approach is the key to unlocking the true benefits of Agile. While you are diligently working "in" the system, don't forget the imperative of also considering how to work "on" the system.

Thank you, and I wish you a fantastic weekend.

Jacob Kingo

#agile #agility #systems #waysofworking #Transformation