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February 11, 2020 · 3 min read timeThe Finnish mobile network operator DNA has done a fantastic job over the years in making its IT functions more agile. The agile development methodologies fit in well with DNA’s bold and experimentative culture.
DNA had already discovered the benefits of agile methodologies through faster and smoother development, but they also noticed that it’s nowhere near enough to stop the agile transformation at the product development level. The best possible results are achieved when agility is adopted by the entire organization – including top management.
To find out how to fully utilize the benefits of agile, DNA’s HR Director Marko Rissanen asked us to check the status of agility in their organization with the help of our Current state analysis.
“When the development needs were brought into the open, it helped DNA to take the next step towards bringing agile forward, with a strong mandate from the management,” Rissanen says.
What does the current state analysis entail?
In the Current state analysis, we sink our teeth into topics such as structures around decision-making, the flow of information, optimization, teamwork, learning, and customer orientation. The analysis aims to map out the broad agility status as well as the future possibilities of an organization to support enterprise agility.
Finding out the status of agility in product or service development isn’t the only goal. We also aim at including different operations throughout the organization as widely as possible.
Who can benefit from the current
state analysis?
We have executed the analysis, for example, in a big organization in the catering industry. What we noticed was that the traditional project-based way to operate is way too stiff for fast-paced changes such as food trends. This demonstrated nicely that the ingrained concepts in the restaurant business can also be challenged with the help of agile analysis.
We can confidently say that the Current state analysis suits organizations which already utilize agile methodologies as well as those who are still considering to introduce agile transformation into their everyday way of working.
The results of the analysis are refined together
The results of the analysis are processed together with the staff and management in order to get everyone on board right from the start. When the results are formulated as concrete actions and next steps, it also helps to create a common vision of agile. This plays a big part in launching the change at an organizational level right away.
With the State of Agile analysis, the organization is able to receive an unbiased outsider view on its status. Our strong background in research and vast experience in agile transformation allows us to see under the surface – and dive into the root causes that aren’t always visible in the day-to-day operations. This is how we make sure that the development targets are correctly selected instead of risking focusing on more shallow goals, that would need more profound attention in the long run.
The analysis is always performed by two coaches to ensure the best possible quality. Two sets of eyes can see better, and working in pairs offers more depth to the analysis – working together is also a basic element of agile methodologies, so we are setting an example too.
Hear more about the current state analysis
If you want to know more about how to have an insight about your current state of agility, get in touch with our experts!
Written by
Minna Janhonen is an organizational development and human resources professional who coaches companies into lean and agile methodologies.
Kirsi Mikkonen is a versatile Lean-Agile coach. She is also an international sailing champion who switches her sailing shoes to telemark skis when the waves turn to ice.
