Agile way of working - definition, requirements & tips
Agile teamwork can bring a lot of positive benefits for companies. It strengthens team spirit, contributes to employee motivation and increases work efficiency.
But how exactly does agile work define itself? Can an agile way of working also have a negative impact? And where should I start if I want to be an employer committed to agile working? Below are the answers and six tangible tips for implementation.
What is an agile way of working? A definition
Our working world has changed, especially within the last twenty to thirty years, in ways that were unimaginable to us at the time. Hardly any company was prepared for the speed and associated challenges that came with the introduction of ever more high-tech technological developments. In some cases, this has caused quite a stir in the previous process structures of companies. The consensus was that a solution was needed.
So the teams sat down and analyzed what was going on. They considered how they could respond to them as flexibly as possible now and in the future. They made plans on how they could best adapt to the market changes and use them profitably for themselves. Thus agile working was born.
Participants in the software industry pioneered agile working approaches within IT project management. Still, it took years for agile to spread to other industries, and the challenge is still in full swing.
When is agile working appropriate?
Agile working lends itself to companies that are influenced by processes and events that cannot always be planned. These days, this includes above all the ubiquitous and cross-industry digital transformation. This is a challenge that companies must accept if they want to remain competitive and continue to grow.
We at NINE brackets as a digital agency are just as much a part of such companies as e-commerce and online store operators, software companies, consulting firms or even banks and insurance companies. Agile methods can also be a boon for compliance with ongoing regulatory changes and the associated implementation of security policies. In short, there is hardly an industry or industry size that cannot benefit from a way of working – as long as it is implemented correctly.
What does an agile way of working involve?
Introducing an agile way of working always takes some time. Entrepreneurs must be aware of the fact that they have to soften outdated structures of the complete organization, often even dissolve them completely. This requires a change in thinking and certainly a great deal of courage, but it usually pays off.
5 tips for agile teamwork
The following six tips can help you build a stable framework of agile working.
1. talk with each other
Do you own modern, open office space? Unfortunately, this does not mean that employees also talk to each other regularly, exchange ideas and inform each other about joint projects. Promote it proactively. Call regular meetings, but also motivate your employees to get regular updates without them. Also, allow open feedback and fair criticism, deliberately before the project starts.
2. confidence in your employees
As managing director, have you always made all the decisions on your own up to now? Why actually? Give your qualified employees more freedom in the future. Create guidelines within which employees can make and implement their own team decisions. This not only increases the motivation of their employees, but also shortens the bureaucratic paths to implementation immensely.
3. take your employees by the hand
Changes, even if they are positive, often lead to uncertainty. Therefore, teach your employees specifically about what is changing, to what extent and, above all, why. The why is derived from the mission statement and the corporate goals. Give your workforce a guideline to follow.
Proven agile project management methods, such as the following, can be helpful during implementation
4. put customer needs in focus
Within an agile way of working, one of the most important points should never fall into the background and that is the view through the customer’s glasses. Your customer’s needs should always come first, because let’s tell it like it is, through them you make sales. So involve him in your agile changes.
This works very well, for example, alongside face-to-face exchanges through social media. Companies that show your face and make your attitude towards an agile way of working public appear likeable and trustworthy.
5. simplify operations
Projects can sometimes drag on quite a bit. In the long run, this also wears down the nerves and motivation of employees. Act and motivate team leaders to break such work down to multiple intermediate goals.
In addition, a wise pre-selection should be made as to which team member can do which work. Leave plenty of room for say, this brings a breath of fresh air and dynamism to working groups.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an agile way of working?
The main advantage of an agile way of working is certainly to be able to react promptly to market changes and, at best, to derive one’s own benefits from them. But many internal processes can also develop positively with agile methods.
Fresh ideas
An important point of the agile way of working in the team are regular meetings. On the one hand, these serve to inform others about what is currently being worked on. At the same time, however, this is above all an opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions. This makes people question entrenched structures and think outside the box.
Higher efficiency
Efficient work results when there is clarity about one’s own tasks as well as about the common project goal. Through open communication within the team, which is encouraged within an agile way of working, everyone knows about the current progress of the project. People support each other, proactively speeding up processes and improving overall time management. Ultimately, these factors then lead to a higher quality result.
More motivation and team spirit
Many companies already know that flat hierarchies lead to employees being more confident, contributing more of their own ideas and voicing their opinions. This is simply because they live without fear of deconstructive criticism and know that making mistakes is part of the job and won’t cost them their job right away. This boosts motivation and employee satisfaction immensely.
The constant exchange among each other increases the team spirit at the same time, even across departments. People know each other better and use each other’s individual strengths to achieve the common goal.
Conclusion - How NINE brackets can help you to work agilely
There is a lot for you to do when introducing an agile way of working. In terms of your employees, you are the expert. What we at NINE brackets can support you with specifically is the digital transformation of your company.
For this purpose, we offer you comprehensive and professional digitization consulting. It helps you understand what digital requirements your individual goals entail and what tools can be used to build them. From planning to implementation, we are then at your side and work with you to develop efficient and sustainable overall solutions that fit your company.
You would like to learn more? Then why not make your appointment today for a free initial consultation. We look forward to hearing about your vision!