99% of the times when I have walked into a transformation what I see is a throng of coaches trying to force-fit an off the shelf framework (Like SAFe, DAD, etc). I refuse to call it a transformation, and would rather just call it what it is: A Process Change. All I see happening is a process that was working (somewhat), that people were already accustomed to, being forcefully replaced with a new process that's not well understood and in most scenarios not well suited either.
Now I am not against SAFe at all, maybe it does work for some organizations. But I am against applying a rigid process that everyone has to conform to and calling it agility. Agility is about being flexible, it's about iterating and arriving at something that works and delivers an outcome. Now if you started your transformation with a vision of applying a new process then go for it. But I implore every exec embarking on this journey to go beyond that. Clearly call out the outcomes that you envision from the transformation and then make sure your transformation is achieving them.
Applying a process will give you just that, a process. Transformations are about culture, it's about enabling a different way of thinking within an organization that is made up of real people. It can't be achieved by applying a process. It can only be achieved by starting with people and arriving at a way of working that works for the people who have to do it day-in and day-out. I believe that this is one of the key reasons why more and more transformations are either failing, going in circles or paused.
Let me know what you think. Are you stuck with a transformation that's stuck? Or with a process that doesn't work? Or if you think SAFe is the best way to go about it. Let's chat!
Are you in the middle of a transformation which feel more like a process change? We can help!
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