In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, organizational resilience has emerged as not just a defensive strategy, but a key driver of success. To thrive amidst uncertainty, companies must learn to adapt quickly, innovate continuously, and align their teams and technologies in ways that create a robust and flexible environment. Our Agile Methodology Interest Group event on November 19 explored how agile methodologies can help organizations not only survive but thrive, by creating synergies between people, processes, and technology.
During the event, attendees gained valuable insights from industry leaders who have successfully implemented agile strategies in their organizations. Melissa Maurer, Sr. IT Project Manager and Scrum Master at Sargento Foods Inc., shared her experience in integrating people, processes, and technology through agile methodologies. Sargento’s Agile transformation emphasizes the integration of people, processes, and technology to enhance adaptability and efficiency.
Key takeaways from Melissa’s presentation include the importance of aligning business and IT teams through structured Agile methodologies, prioritizing transparency and value delivery over perfection, and fostering continuous improvement through regular ceremonies and dependency management. Behavioral shifts in prioritization, daily interactions, and processes are crucial for success, while recognizing that not all projects are suited for Agile is essential. Sargento’s journey highlights the value of deliberate planning, knowledge sharing, and empowering teams to independently navigate challenges for sustainable organizational growth.
Next, attendees heard from Tom Zwick, Director of Data Services and Digital Transformation at OMRON – Americas, who provided a compelling narrative on their journey to Agile Synergy, highlighting the power of cross-functional collaboration and organizational alignment. OMRON’s adoption of Scrum transformed its project management by addressing challenges like micromanagement, lack of formal methodologies, uncontrolled scope creep, and poor risk management.
Tom shared the importance of starting small with pilot projects, building a coalition of advocates, and securing leadership engagement. Effective implementation involved using Agile tools, appointing experienced Scrum Masters, and customizing Scrum practices to departmental needs while avoiding over-customization. Continuous improvement through incremental changes and clear communication helped overcome resistance and demonstrated Scrum’s benefits, leading to enhanced collaboration, productivity, and efficient value delivery.
These two member stories highlighted the impact of collaboration and process organization in fostering a resilient environment where teams can thrive. Both in-person and online attendees engaged with member companies, exchanging experiences, challenges, and solutions to build a comprehensive pool of shared knowledge.
This collective insight equipped participants with practical strategies to adopt agile practices more effectively, strengthen organizational resilience, and propel their organizations toward greater agility and success. The event was immensely valuable, providing attendees with actionable takeaways and opportunities to forge impactful connections that will support their ongoing agile transformation.
UWEBC members can view the full video presentation and download presentation slides here.