In our previous post, we explored how Agile Development may encounter challenges linked to organizational factors such as business ownership, budget competences, dependencies between value streams and organizational capacity. To tackle such hurdles, we propose incorporating the four Dynamic Work Design principles (see MIT Sloan School of Management article). These principles are very effective in improving processes in the context of Agile Development. Timodi GmbH specializes in Dynamic Work Design and supports you in the journey toward Agile excellence.
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- Agile teams often face hurdles related to business ownership, priorities, budget allocation, dependencies between value streams and organizational capacity.
- When confronted with these challenges, Agile teams may struggle to realize their full potential.
- In our post, we delve into four key principles that can guide you in effectively navigating these challenges, ultimately enhancing your Agile Transformation journey.
1. Aligning and Reconciling Intent and Activity
Agile methodologies intend to maximize value and plan their activities accordingly. Implementing Agile effectively requires ongoing dialogue between management and those executing the work, processes that allow teams to critically inspect their work and regular feedback. Correctly implemented, Activity and Intent in Agile Development will be in-line.
2. Connecting the Human Chain through Triggers and Checks
When inspection shows that work cannot flow as expected, and that the team needs external help, Dynamic Work Design introduces the concept of Triggers and Checks.
Triggers are activated when the gap between activity and it’s intent exceeds a predefined gap. They prompt an involvement of higher levels in the organization. Checks are performed by leaders who go down the hierarchy to walk the floor and ensure that work can be performed efficiently.
Triggers and Checks could prove invaluable when Agile Development meets cultural or formal organizational issues, that create ambiguity around ownership, responsibilities, and competencies.
3. Structuring Problem Solving and Creativity
When activities do not deliver the intended results, there is a problem to be solved. The third principle reminds us not rush prematurely to conclusions and instead, formulate the problem and the specific improvement objectives clearly before designing the target state. This approach clarity increases the likelihood of solving the correct problem correctly.
Dynamic Work Design recommends utilizing A3 problem-solving documents, a topic we will delve into in a separate post.
4. Managing Optimal Challenge
The final principle deals with the optimal work load and it’s impact on sustainable performance and improvement. When challenge level is too low, individuals comfortably meet targets with no incentive for learning and improvement. Conversely, excessive challenges can halt progress, leaving no time for learning and potentially leading to organizational capacity issues. In the context of Agile Development, work should deliver fast progress while keeping enough time for tasks like refactoring, test driven development, pair programming and other learning activities.
Conclusion
Agile Development methodologies are inherently aligned with the four Dynamic Work Design principles. When Agile practices encounter challenges, such as distractions or shifting priorities, when it becomes hard to focus due to organizational constellations, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for expert guidance and support. Timodi GmbH supports you in inspecting your settings and suggesting adaptations that can resolve these impediments. In upcoming posts, we will draw concrete comparisons between these principles and the Scrum and SAFe methodologies.
About the Autor
Itamar brings over 35 years of digital world experience, specializing in Agile Development, Digital Transformation, and Business Intelligence. He’s passionate about optimizing work flow through collaboration and solution co-creation. Outside work, he enjoys family time, cooking, mountain excursions, cycling, and capturing beautiful moments through his lens. Ready for business transformation? Meet Itamar at Hand-Shake-Meeting.
Sources and Additional Readings
The 4 principles of dynamic work design by Kara Baskin, MIT Sloan School of Management, 2018