Many times in my career, I’ve had the chance to experience exactly the kind of transformation that’s so often talked about: re-shaping a team into journey-focused value streams (or squads, themes, or whatever term you prefer). And in the process, I’ve repeatedly witnessed a decision-making process that confuses and confounds me. Let me set the… Continue reading When transforming your organisation, who should lead your value streams?
Category: Organisational Design
Understanding the importance of environment on People and Culture
Let’s consider for a moment how many large organisations are coming to the realisation that their size, legacy and ways of working have industrialised the ability to think and act creatively out of their businesses. They study start-ups and create innovation teams to try and emulate some of the practices they deploy to disrupt service,… Continue reading Understanding the importance of environment on People and Culture
On being good Digital Neighbours: Transformation vs. BAU
Having worked as a consultant and contractor on both sides of the Transformation/BAU fence, there is often present a divide in ethos, ego and perception. In digital, People who work in the BAU arena typically optimise and maintain live websites, apps and software. BAU teams are predominantly made up of permanent members of staff because… Continue reading On being good Digital Neighbours: Transformation vs. BAU
Digital Transformation without People is Legacy IT delivery
Many organisations are undertaking digital transformation programs to “put digital at the heart of their businesses”. This isn’t a new thing. In a way, by replacing legacy systems, upgrading IT infrastructure, and putting in CRM and distribution systems, we’ve been on this path for the better part of the last decade. In parallel to this,… Continue reading Digital Transformation without People is Legacy IT delivery
Transforming Digital Transformation
“Digital Transformation” has become an interesting buzzword that in its own right seems to be rapidly transforming. Not so long ago, replacing software systems with integrated, customer-facing digital systems, and putting digital more at the core of your business was simply a large-scale technology infrastructure program. But everything requires a buzzword, and perhaps “large-scale technology… Continue reading Transforming Digital Transformation
Agile as the process
Over the last year or so I’ve come across quite a few people – technologists mostly – who keep asking the question – why can’t Agile be used as a methodology for both UX and development? Having spent some time considering it, I’ve put down a few thoughts below. Apologies in advance for the use… Continue reading Agile as the process
Walking the line between Skunkworks and Business as Usual
Several times recently I’ve heard the word ‘skunkworks‘ mentioned. Most recently it was in a Guardian interview with Mark O’neill, the ‘leader of the government’s IT ‘skunkworks’ team – as well as CIO of two prominent UK Government departments. I have to admit to being fascinated by the idea of a skunkworks capability in Government.… Continue reading Walking the line between Skunkworks and Business as Usual
Are UX roles becoming multi-disciplinary?
Back in the early days of digital there were far fewer roles than there are today. You basically had people selling for the agencies, project managing, designing and writing content, and building. Life was simple – yet in many ways everyone’s role was multidisciplinary. Early project managers’ roles encompassed sales, strategy, project management, account management,… Continue reading Are UX roles becoming multi-disciplinary?