In today’s business climate, things move faster than ever before. Technology is progressing exponentially, marketers are discovering methods to improve their effectiveness every day, and businesses continue to benefit from speed of output above all else.
That’s why, now more than ever, it’s imperative for businesses to be fast and adaptable. If a business is to survive and thrive, it must be prepared to quickly change course in response to new information, innovations or insight.
The concept of “agile” was created to equip businesses to do exactly that. In an agile system, accountability is placed on efficiency and consistent testing. Though it originated in the product realm, the concept has grown to be applicable in each department of a modern business.
What is agile?
Agile involves breaking down a long-term business vision into small, manageable and trackable “mini projects”. Goals in an agile system are achieved in an incremental fashion, with assumptions being tested every step of the way.
In Eric Ries’ book, “The Lean Startup”, he compares the agile process to driving a car. He points out that driving a car involves taking in constant feedback and adjusting to it. The comparison is drawn against the concept of a rocket launch, where everything is planned down to the finest detail before execution.
In a business, the “rocket launch” approach doesn’t work because the assumptions a business may be relying on can change before it’s time to execute. The agile approach allows for constant testing and incremental progress, which creates an environment with the capacity for rapid change at its heart.
How to make your business agile
If your business doesn’t currently operate in an agile system, transforming your workflows can be challenging. It could involve implementing new tools, systems and methods. It may even involve hiring new staff such as a scrum master, a specialist who facilitates the agile process.
The agile system can also be a bit tricky for newcomers to wrap their heads around if they’re unfamiliar with the process. There are courses staff can take and a range of professionals equipped to help businesses transition to an agile process.
At its core, agile is about helping businesses to be adaptable. It’s a system that equips a business to quickly change their approach when necessary, and in a fast-paced world like ours, you never know when that could be.
