IT Performs - Agile Methodology

How Agile Are You?

In any project, from school work to the most complex software development project, you will know more about it at the end than the beginning. It's hardly rocket science. So why, when thinking about the implementation of software projects, do so many companies plan every small detail at the start of the project and set it in stone?

Surely it makes sense to perform the first part of the project, define short-term requirements, examine results and then plan again for the next stage?

This is even more relevant to BI projects where the business requirements continually change and the knowledge about the data, both quality and what it represents, continually improves during the project.

Another advantage of the Agile methodology is that constant testing and integration ensures that any faults are detected and corrected on a regular basis. This constant testing and development provides a much closer and more regular, face to face, collaboration between the end users (Business) and developers (IT) ensuring that the next stage of the project is a success.

BI Iterative Approach

Our approach to Agile focuses on delivering quick business benefits, whilst contributing to the strategic solution and ensuring knowledge, both technical and business, is continually increased and captured:

Everyone works on the basis that requirements will change and data issues will arise. The Agile methodology caters for this and continually learns from the experience - how honest and refreshing!

Agile is best deployed for BI projects using small, multi disciplined, self organising teams which combine technology, data and business process expertise. The pro-active inclusion of the business, allows the BI team to extend further to include goal setting and changes to work practices. Alllowing actual business benefits to be monitored and included within the project; therefore providing a much more focused and accountable technology delivery.

Business driven technology, rapidly deployed by elite, multi-functional delivery teams within a controlled and managed framework. The utopia for any organisation wanting to be competitive in tough times and take advantage of their data and the advances of modern BI technology!

If you can get many of these cross functional 'SWAT' teams operational at once, being managed under a coherent BI Programme, aligned to the Business Strategy, significant business wins will follow.

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