Agile digital transformation clearly outlines what the enterprise aims to accomplish and then shapes the processes that will help to attain such goals. It also offers an iterative approach giving the organization enough time to test, learn and tailor its course as different aspects of the new operating models are deployed.

The key benefits of agility in digital transformation are:

In addition to such benefits, agile methodologies gradually transform business models, giving companies time and space to learn and evolve with the changes they materialize. It also empowers them to keep launching more digital initiatives.

While it has many advantages, agile digital transformation also comes with particular challenges. Here’s how you can respond to them:

Investors typically favor well-established models that guarantee returns on their investments with high certainty. When agile cannot promise clear outcomes, they may be reluctant to fund such projects. Concrete efforts to convince your investors of the lasting benefits of new methodologies that involve iterative phases of testing, learning, and finally succeeding are vital

It can take long to kick-start any task when you transition from established waterfall practices to heuristic development and prototyping methods. Teams tend to stay trapped in sprint zero while trying to understand the uncertainties, and they may even feel tempted to use the traditional practices. However, the very purpose of sprints is to help you initiate your projects with fundamentals. As you proceed with them for a while, doubts around requirements, threats, and priorities are clarified with time.

At times, a task may look enormous to be undertaken in a single sprint. In such cases, it is better to segregate it into manageable sub-tasks and complete them in a scheduled sprint, even if progress comes at a slower pace.

Finding suitable candidates for agile digital transformation projects is tricky. In addition to solution architects, engineers, developers, and designers, you must have digital officers, managers, and product owners with an agile outlook. C-level executives who can guide others through a sprint should join the team. Alternatively, you can subcontract some of your projects to companies that have proved their expertise in agile digital transformation.

Essentially, agility at an organization’s levels implies driving strategies, structures, processes, employees, and technologies toward a new operating framework. The goal is to rebuild the business around self-driven, high-performing teams and to change the work culture.

Subbarao (Subbu) Kapila is the vice-president and head of services delivery and presales at CriticalRiver since 2020. In his role, he is responsible for multiple practices in digital transformation and business integration. Subbu is a highly accomplished global executive with over 25 years of IT service experience.

For more information, contact: – subbarao.kapila@criticalriver.com