In today's fast-paced, information-centric world, it's essential to have the right tools in place to improve your employees' workplace experience. To do so, you'll need the right technology-enabled programs. This blog post will take a hard look at the use of Agile, Lean, DevOps, and other learning initiatives to keep your digital disruption transformation manageable.

Agile

Agile software development is an umbrella term for a set of frameworks and practices based on the values and principles expressed in the Manifesto for Agile Software Development and the 12 Principles behind it.

To understand Agile more clearly, please take a moment to view this YouTube video.

How can you prepare for an Agile environment?

1. Centralize and redefine your IT department.
2. Develop four key areas:
   1. Technology – a movement toward self-service tools with automated delivery (i.e., AI, chatbots)
   2. Talent – Movement away from software developers toward infrastructural engineers who can build well-defined service offerings
   3. Processes – Teams are now responsible for end-to-end, repetitive, and streamlined service offerings
   4. Collaboration – Blending development and operations
3. Start with a small project and cross-functional team for software development.
    

Lean

Lean Digital Transformation is how companies apply Lean principles to design, develop, and deliver new digital experiences. While methodologies are in order, computer languages such as Java, COBOL, and ETL code are often needed to provide the right outcome.  

DevOps

DevOps is a set of practices that combines software development and information technology operations to shorten the systems development life cycle while delivering features, fixes, and updates frequently in close alignment with business objectives. A good source for understanding and implementing this methodology is The DevOps Handbook: How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, and Security in Technology Organizations.

Here is an excellent introductory video to DevOps.

How can you move forward on DevOps?

1. Read the handbook listed above and refer to it often.
2. Internally, start using tools like Git, Docker, Jenkins, Ansible, and Nagios.
3. Certify some of your IT staff in DevOps, including Microsoft Azure Certifications, and becoming a Certified ScrumMaster.

Continuous Learning

Digitally disruptive organizations are implementing lunch and learn series or teaching days to allow employees to spread Agile, Lean, and DevOps teachings to their peers. In addition, the intent is to promote the latest IT practices and coding updates and methods.

Digital Disruption Benefits

The ability to release high-quality software sooner at a lower cost is part and parcel of why there's such a massive push toward disruption. Also, the automation of software testing allows for a much more efficient process.

According to McKinsey, an Agile approach can boost the productivity of software developers by 25-30% within 6-18 months. In fact, they could cut IT costs by greater than 35% in one company while doubling overall productivity.

Lastly, the team continually finds ways to improve, which cuts down on IT burnout and boredom.

Conclusion

Traditional IT infrastructures and management practices cannot compete with the fast-paced digital disruption delivery solutions. Old school thinking of stability first is gone due to multiple handoffs, delays, and frequent misunderstandings, as identified in the Agile video.

With the integration of DevOps, the product owner and ScrumMaster collectively flush out the project's scope, objectives, and metrics. They are fully integrated into the process from beginning to end.