Sparking the Evolution
Cary has never been an enthusiast for traditional frameworks. Prior to joining Stratpoint, he has seen the limitations of following everything by the book as a project manager – there was a heavy emphasis on the tasks of documentation and listing specifications. He felt that there was something wrong; that there was no space for innovation or creativity.
Meanwhile, in Stratpoint, leaders are already exposed to the AGILE FRAMEWORK, having been early adopters. They began incorporating it on a small-scale early on and while the company was previously used to the traditional set-up, they were open and willing to embrace change. Cary saw this opportunity and envisioned the possibilities for Stratpoint to push for this movement further.
The Journey
Being an AGILE organization is dependent on the development of each individual and their mindset. Therefore, the change would not transpire overnight. Despite this, Cary was filled with optimism and continued to push forward with the framework.
The first step that he took on the journey was to impart knowledge. He made sure that he was involved in daily activities to guide through, correct mistakes, or address any doubts and questions. He was able to embody the belief, and little by little, he saw the change within the organization.
The change in mindset would not be possible without the team’s willingness and eagerness to transform. Stratizens were open to embrace the AGILE FRAMEWORK. It pushed them to take more active roles, empowering them to become involved in decision making.
Rise to the Challenge
The most challenging aspect was to produce results for clients and it was through a particular project that this has been surpassed. A client trusted Stratpoint to revolutionize their industry. While the project was seen as problematic at first, it was transformed, through AGILE development, leading to higher revenues. The client was satisfied with the fast delivery and the Agile team’s ability to meet beyond their expectations.
Another obstacle was to encourage the involvement of clients. In adapting an AGILE approach, teams are able to deliver value through collaboration with client partners when traditionally, clients would not be heavily involved. Through a continuous movement, clients were able to see the significance of their involvement to drive outputs and ultimately caused them to be keener on learning about and utilizing the Agile methodology.
Moving Forward
The number of projects grew, along with the teams. Being AGILE has been molded to Stratpoint’s culture – as it is being carried out in multiple projects and daily activities. Cary continues to move into allowing every Stratizen to have a collective understanding of AGILE and an AGILE mindset.
The AGILE movement has become fundamental to Stratpoint. An AGILE Playbook Series has been created to further strengthen the mindset and framework into the culture. The seven-part playbook aims to upskill Stratizens to better implement and utilize tools and techniques in projects and daily activities.
#TipsFromCary
Here are the top six tips from our AGILE MOVER, Cary, to ensure projects are successful with the AGILE FRAMEWORK.
1. Be Involved
For change to transpire, knowledge and passion have to be communicated. Be collectively involved and push for objectives and values as a team.
2. Be Patient
As a manager, Cary advises putting ego aside. Being AGILE is a mindset that requires time to develop. With individuals who have varying characteristics and traits, having the patience to teach and learn is critical.
3. Learn from Mistakes
It’s no secret that there will be projects that will fail. However, don’t fear failure because it will be the stepping stone to success.
4. Think Positive
The obstacles in a project should not halt it even before it is started. If there are risks involved, try to mitigate them. Cary states that the bad should not deprive the possibilities of the good.
5. Measure Success
Have a manner of measuring success, even how simple it may be. Being AGILE permits us to make changes along the way; it is a great way to plan, observe, and adjust as the transformations are occurring.
6. Grow
If a project fails, do not feel discouraged. Instead, assess and learn from what may have caused it to fail in comparison to successful projects. Being AGILE is a mindset of continuous growth and being part of the ever-changing evolution.
Want to ignite your evolution? Consult with our Agile Mover! Feel free to message us through contact@stratpoint.com