The influence of digitalization on your company
Our world is becoming increasingly fast-paced, digital and complex. In order to remain competitive today and survive in the future, a rethink is necessary: Instead of rigid structures and long-term forward planning, flexible and rapid adaptation to changes in requirements is gaining importance.
In order for a company to master the challenges of digitization, a step-by-step change in the direction of an agile way of thinking and working is essential. Anchoring this way of thinking, the so-called „agile mindset“ throughout the entire company, forms the basis for an agile transformation. But what does agile mindset actually mean?
The definition of the agile Mindset
Agility stands for flexibility and the mindset defines the way of thinking. Consequently, a person who has developed an agile mindset can act flexibly and quickly and thus act better in the moment, evaluate the latest information, constantly update it, and include it in their decisions. Especially in a digital world, these are the cornerstones for a successful business.
But how can you develop an agile mindset? To understand this, we introduce you to the agile values – derived from the Agile Manifesto.
The four values of the agile mindset
Develop the right mindset
The basis for the four values of the agile mindset is the right attitude. We understand this to mean values such as courage, openness, self-responsibility and people focus. Only when the four values are anchored in the corporate culture, agile principles and practices can be applied successfully. With the following four values, your company realizes an agile mindset:
Individuals and interaction take precedence over processes and tools.
The focus of this guiding principle is on direct communication with the customer and between team members. It is about the joint -collaboration- and regular reflection process.
The team is responsible for answering or including all questions, suggestions and ideas from the customer. Due to the highly dynamic nature of markets and constantly changing customer requirements, direct exchange within the team is more important than mature and detailed processes.
This not only increases productivity in the long term, but also ensures higher employee motivation through the „WE“-feeling in the team. But how does the agile mindset affect your documentation?
Functioning software/products stand above extensive documentation.
This value proposition of the agile mindset does not mean that documentation should be abolished. Rather, it should be reduced to the essentials. Accordingly, quality and customer satisfaction are more important than detailed documentation of the project. The focus is on the continuous delivery of results and fast, flexible decision paths.
The agile mindset not only has a positive effect on your team, but also helps the bond with your customer to be optimized.
Cooperation with customers/project stakeholders is above contract negotiations.
Customer requirements and requests may change during the project. Instead of focusing on rigid contract negotiations at the beginning of the project, the agile way of working continuously involves the customer throughout the development process. This integration promotes sustainable success for the company, as time and resources are used efficiently, and the final product meets the exact customer’s business requirements at that point in time.
Likewise, the focus is no longer on long-term fixed plans.
Reaction to changes takes precedence over following a set plan.
In traditional project management, detailed plans are developed before the project starts and the team sticks to them throughout the project. The agile mindset provides the foundation for the team to quickly and flexibly adapt to changing customer requirements and better react to new information and mistakes, rather than sticking to strict plans. This is achieved through small, self-organized teams and short iterations.
It should be emphasized, however, that the right side of the above four values is also important and relevant. However, the importance of the left side has a higher significance in an agile organization.
Being Agile vs. Doing Agile: What do we learn from this?
From our many years of project experience, we have learned that there is a difference between „doing agile“ and „being agile“. Agile working becomes successful with the agile mindset – not with the introduction of techniques.
Those who merely act agile apply the practices without having internalized the agile mindset. This implies that the agile methods are executed and fulfilled as described, but without the establishment of an agile corporate culture. This leads to autonomous and transparent working often being hindered.
Being agile, on the other hand, means internalizing the mindset and the associated values and principles as a first step. Only then is it possible to apply the practices effectively and according to the situation.
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Would you like to learn more about the agile mindset or are you interested in an agile transformation? We look forward to hearing from you! Contact us.
