Agile Adoption vs Agile Transformation

Agile organizations have been one of the fastest-growing industries in the past few decades as it provide all the solutions to the issues caused by the traditional software methodology. As new companies emerge, they use Agile Methods to develop their products. However, many professionals do not understand the differences between Agile Adoption and Agile transformation and fail to know the purpose of Agile transformation. Both the terms may seem synonymous; however, they are very different. Agile adoption happens when the organization adopts the practices, frameworks, and processes that result from the Agile development movement. However, Agile transformation is the complete change in the work culture and adopting a growth mindset in the work environment. This article aims to explain both the terms in detail and churn out the variances between the two processes. 

Definition of Agile Adoption

Agile adoption includes following the Agile principles and values from the Agile Manifesto, a manual that changes how people work. Agile aims to reduce the gap created between the Developers and the customers. This is achieved by establishing communication between both parties and getting client feedback. The Developers also quickly respond to the customers' needs and provide valuable solutions. Agile Adoption mainly concentrates on the Agile teams as they create products by using Agile methods and practices to increase the quality and value of the product. Agile Adoption is the changes that take place which is parallel to the Agile values and principles. It means that the organization is moving from one process to another such as SDLC, or waterfall to an Agile framework or process. 

Many organizations change processes by implementing one of the Agile frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, Lean Software development, etc. When a company newly adopts the Agile practices and methods, it is termed Agile adoption. Usually, a company uses the Scrum framework to get used to the Agile tools and techniques. This makes the company form many dedicated cross-functional teams supported by a Scrum Master and a Product Owner. The Scrum Master helps the Developers in the development process by removing any impediments. The Product Owner communicates the product idea from the client to the Scrum team and manages the Product Backlog. Scrum works on timeboxed iterations called Sprints which last up to one to four weeks.

Definition of Agile Transformation

Agile Transformation involves a set of people revolutionizing how they deliver value to serve the customers in a better way. This aims to create a sustainable environment that can rapidly counter changes by increasing its foundational strength. This is achieved by increasing the quality of the product, shortening the delivery time, and concentrating on satisfying the end-users. This transformation process occurs after the company has adopted Agile practices, and tries to build a culture that stays relevant and helps the organization grow.

The main aim of the transformation is to enhance the profitability and sustainability of the organization and help the company be prepared for market opportunities. It mainly concerns four components: technical Agility, cultural Agility, change management Agility, and technical Agility. The scope may stick to a particular department, product, or other area of the company but can also target the entire company. 

Read More:What Is Agile Transformation?

Agile Adoption Vs Agile Transformation

Agile Adoption translates to the company employing Agile practices for the first time and learning about Agile practices and methods. However, Agile transformation is more of an abstract concept where the entire organization slowly transitions from traditional methodology to Agile methodology, inculcates a growth mindset, and welcomes change. Here are a few major differences between Agile Adoption and Agile transformation.

1. The difference in Agile Practices

Agile adoption uses other people's practices, whereas Agile transformation creates their own Agile model. One of the best examples of this difference is the Spotify application. When the Spotify app was released, it was one of a kind and gained popularity among many end-users. Other companies started implementing similar features from the model and adopting Agile practices. Organizations that copied the model have adopted Agile in their company, which was the Agile adoption process. However, Spotify, which had created something of its own and constantly built its structure and process, underwent Agile transformation. Like any Agile company, Spotify is continuously working, meaning that Agile transformation is a continuous process. Hence, the teams trying to implement a similar process to Spotify were implementing Agile adoption, and Spotify underwent Agile transformation by innovating and making something that was needed by the end-users.

2. Team vs Organization

Agile adoption involves teaching the Agile methods and practices at the level of the Agile team. These practices require the Agile team members to master new and relevant skills which would transpose the thought process of the team members. The Agile adoption also changes how the teams engage with the stakeholders, but fundamentally would not change how the stakeholders work. However, Agile transformation looks at the overall function of the organization and not only how the value is delivered by the organization. Agile transformation mainly focuses on rapid innovation, validation by the market, and fast value delivery. The Agile transformation affects not only the Agile teams, but also the operations, finance, marketing, and all the other departments that impact the speed of delivery and validation and the quality of innovation. 

3. Both terms focus on different things

Agile adoption is mainly concerned about teaching the skills and Agile practices to the team. This includes pair programming, user stories, test-driven development, iterative development, the Scrum Method, the Kanban Method, and emergent architecture. These are practices that any team member has to learn to understand the practices used in Agile. Every Agile industry that starts should have a “why they are working” attached to it. As long as the employees understand why they are working so hard and the organization's purpose or vision, they cannot fully implement Agile. Often, companies use JIRA and call the requirements as user stories, and change the business analytics title to Product Owners. 

This missing piece of vision in Agile adoption becomes a major focus in Agile transformation as it focuses on how people work and what the company's purpose is. It also addresses the concern of measuring the difference in the workplace and makes the company responsive to internal organizational disruptions and market conditions. The transformation also discusses the risks that need to be mitigated and the collaboration and innovation that would increase the company's business value.

4. Learning in Agile Adoption Vs Agile Transformation

Experts in Agile development teach the basics of Agile in Agile adoption, whereas the learning in Agile transformation is by understanding the concepts of experts in Agile organizational design. An expert in the field teaches how to create user stories in a newly adopted Agile company. It may be by reading the experts' books or having the expert lecture the Agile team. Most of the focus is on the technical part of Agile, which is taught by experts to the team. The trainers are highly qualified individuals who transfer their knowledge to the people building things in the organization. Agile transformation, however, requires the organization to work beyond the delivery teams. If an organization has to transform, they need to guide people about structuring and creating an adaptable environment that grows even in a constantly changing culture.

5. Executing Agile in Adoption vs Transformation

Agile adoption is led by Scrum Masters, Developers, and Agile coaches whereas the transformations are executed by experts in Agile change management. Agile adoption is led by hiring an army of coaches who can train the employees about using Agile for an organization. However, in Agile transformation, the people who have the influence, power, and skills to navigate the people in the company are responsible for the transition. These people help the Developers change how they deliver value to the company and nourish the work culture, process, and tooling to build a growth mindset in the organization. This requires an excellent leadership quality along with execution in change management.

6. Life of Both Processes

Agile adoption has a short life, whereas transformation has a longer horizon. In Agile adoption, new skills and behaviors must be identified, training must be provided, and the mentors and the coaches must explain the real-world scenario to the Scrum Team. This training process could vary among different teams as it depends on the ability of each team member to grasp knowledge. It typically takes 1-6 months to stabilize the new working patterns, which is a short period. On the other hand, Agile transformation is not as linear or predictable as Agile adoption. It involves many people, such as customers, stakeholders, and organization members. The very nature of transformation is to change the culture of the entire organization, which includes changing the mindset of the people working in the company. This means that the time horizon of Agile transformation would be much longer and very unpredictable as compared to Agile adoption.

7. Enhancement in Both Processes

Agile adoption helps the organization to increase the productivity of the team, whereas the transformation increases the value-delivery and sustainability. The focus of adoption is on the Agile teams which makes them productive and later increases the sustainability and profitability of the company. But, this enhancement only occurs in a small part of the company. Agile transformation focuses on enhancing the entire company as a whole, which includes all the departments in the company and does not stick only to development. The main aim of Agile transformation is to holistically upgrade the organization to receive benefits at the level of the organization.

Conclusion

Agile adoption is a small change that enhances a small part of the company. This adoption would benefit the company but cannot have significance at an organizational level. Agile transformation is revolutionizing the entire thought process of the organization, and it would show visible results to everyone in the company. The main goal of Agile adoption is to educate people about the practices and ways in which they can use the tools to design and develop the software. However, the goal of Agile transformation is to be equipped effectively to respond to changing environments and, ultimately, serve the customers better by increasing the quality of the product and delivering value faster. Simpliaxis understands the importance of Agile transformation and is committed to helping companies achieve their goals efficiently and effectively. Simpliaxis offers agile courses designed to equip professionals with the necessary skills to thrive in today's dynamic business environment.