Agile working

Ever heard of the term VUCA or the phrase "It's a VUCA world"? VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex & Ambiguous. It symbolizes today's business world, where what is new today may be obsolete tomorrow.

 

For this reason, more and more organizations are opting for an agile way of working. In short cycles of one to four weeks, agile teams go through the steps from plan to design and then to launch. This way of working in short cycles, a characteristic agile way of working, makes it possible to respond quickly and effectively to changing requirements, wishes and priorities within your organization.

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What is agile working?

With an agile approach, you organize yourself to be flexible, agile and customer-focused. This enables you to deliver the right value at the right time. Moreover, because you can test tangible results with customers much faster, you reduce the risk of spending (too) much time and energy on solutions that turn out to be outdated or irrelevant; after all, the world is VUCA. 

Agile working emerged in response to the limitations of traditional ways of working. Whereas hierarchical structures often create inertia and bureaucracy, today's world demands an agile organizational structure. Such a structure is characterized by flat teams, clear roles and quick decision-making, which promotes agility and innovation. Instead of leaning on fixed processes, hierarchies and long-term plans, you emphasize people, interaction and collaboration. This approach encourages a culture of experimentation and learning. This allows organizations to better adapt to new developments and opportunities. 

Our approach: not by the book

Agile implementation is not simply done according to a set plan. Such a plan is certainly not a "one size fits all. Each department, and even the different teams within a department, often need a different approach based on the characteristics of their responsibilities, practical work and composition. 

Agile working is not an end in itself, but a means to become more agile and effective. That's why we constantly ask ourselves, "How does agile work best for your organization?" The answer starts with conscious agile organizing: setting up teams, processes and structures that match the dynamics of your organization. We choose methodologies that really support this.

When introducing agile working, change management plays a crucial role. This is because it is not just about introducing new ways of working, but mainly about a change in mindset, culture and behavior. Teams must learn to deal with more autonomy, flexibility and collaboration. 

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Agile methodologies

Originally developed for software development, agile has proven to be an effective method of working in a variety of industries. Several agile methods exist, each with its own approach and advantages. Two of the best known are Scrum and Kanban. Methods that are often compared to each other because of their practical applicability and visual nature. The difference between Kanban and Scrum is mainly in the structure and way of working:

  • Scrum: Teams work in short, manageable sprints in which they are goal-oriented and regularly collect feedback from customers and/or users.
  • Kanban: Visual (digital) boards are used to map the workflow and quickly reveal bottlenecks. The method focuses on a continuous flow of work, allowing teams to move faster and reducing wait times.

In short, Scrum is ideal for projects with clear phases and defined goals per sprint, while Kanban lends itself better to a continuous flow of work and flexible prioritization.

Other commonly used methods within agile working include:

  • Lean: Focused on eliminating waste and maximizing customer value through continuous improvement.
  • SAFe: A scalable agile approach for larger organizations, where multiple teams work together effectively.

The core values of agile are flexibility, collaboration and customer focus, and form the basis of these methods. They allow teams to remain agile and respond quickly to change.

The benefits of agile working

Agile working offers several advantages:

  • Flexibility: Teams can move quickly and respond to new insights or market developments.
  • Faster feedback: Regular improvement cycles enable continuous evaluation and adjustment, this increases quality. 
  • Better collaboration: Open communication and multidisciplinary teams create a more efficient and transparent work environment. 
  • Innovation: A culture of experimentation and learning encourages innovative ideas and solutions. 

The challenges of agile working

Although agile working offers many opportunities, agile working also comes with its drawbacks. That is why it is smart to hire an agile specialist. Valid's experts help organizations apply agile working effectively and successfully. Common challenges are:

  • Culture change: Implementing an agile mindset requires a fundamental shift in the way of working and thinking within the organization. This is where change management comes into play: guiding this culture change requires a thoughtful approach that pays attention to communication, leadership and commitment.
  • Communication and involvement: Effective communication and the involvement of all employees are crucial to successfully applying agile principles.
  • Training and coaching: Teams need training and coaching to make the most of agile methodologies.
  • Structure and alignment: Without proper knowledge of roles and responsibilities, agile work can become chaotic.
  • Resistance to change: Not everyone embraces agile practices right away; guidance is essential to increase acceptance.

By paying attention to these challenges, organizations maximize the benefits of agile working. Engaging a specialized partner, such as Valid, can provide support in guiding a successful agile transformation, from a first step to sustainable embedding in the organization. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about agile working

Some frequently asked questions and answers.

What is the meaning of agile working?

The meaning of agile working comes from the English word agile, which literally means agile or nimble. Agile working is a flexible and iterative approach in which teams work in short cycles, continuously retrieve feedback and quickly adapt to change. This way of working enables organizations to respond faster to new insights, customer needs and market developments.

How do I start working agile?

Start by forming multidisciplinary teams, choose an agile methodology that suits your organization or project (such as Scrum or Kanban), a choice in which we can of course help you, and invest in training and coaching to successfully implement the new way of working.

Is agile working suitable for every organization?

Agile working is applicable in a variety of industries, but it requires a culture of flexibility, openness and continuous improvement. Success depends on the willingness to change within the organization.

Agile working is more than a methodology; it is a mindset that helps organizations operate quickly, flexibly and customer-focused in a dynamic marketplace. By investing in an agile culture, the right methodologies and continuous improvement, companies can not only operate more efficiently, but also increase innovation and customer satisfaction.

Customer cases and blogs

Customer case: CBS: Renewing applications agile for a data-driven future

In order to collect data faster, smarter and more broadly, CBS has renewed the entire application landscape for data collection with Valid. Thanks to an agile approach and close cooperation, a flexible and future-proof IT landscape has been created in which innovation is central.

Blog: The power of predictable deployment in an unpredictable world

In a world where change is the norm, success requires agility. Not by nailing everything down in advance, but with a stable process and an engaged team. Predictability in collaboration and rhythm creates room to move along - without losing grip.

Customer case: Valid helps modernize Medtronic application

Medtronic modernized the iCARS system to future-proof healthcare reimbursement processing in Germany. Valid guided the project with incremental deliveries and regular coordination with users, paying attention to security, continuity and usability. The result: a stable, modern and compliant solution.

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