Nigel Wright Group recently hosted a HR Leaders Breakfast Event on the theme of ‘Agile HR’. The event brought together four Agile HR experts to explore how Agile methodologies are reshaping human resources across diverse organisations.
Caron Deans, Director of People Projects at KAEFER UK & Ireland
Agile, according to Caron, embodies an evidence-based ethos that prioritises customer needs and business value. Unlike the rigid confines of traditional project management—often likened to the waterfall approach—Agile champions adaptability and incremental progress. Caron depicted Agile’s efficacy in fostering early buy-in and refining processes in real-time, a stark departure from conventional, linear project execution.
Central to Agile’s efficacy, Caron emphasised, is its collaborative essence and iterative nature. By encouraging continuous feedback loops and swift adaptation, Agile enables teams to pivot deftly in response to evolving demands. This methodology not only optimises workflow but also cultivates stakeholder engagement, essential in augmenting organisational resilience and responsiveness.
Furthermore, Caron underscored Agile’s core principles: customer-centricity, adaptive planning, and evidence-based decision-making. These principles, she argued, are indispensable in navigating the complexities of modern business environments. By recalibrating focus from process adherence to value delivery, Agile empowers teams to innovate and drive sustainable growth.
Throughout her presentation, Caron exemplified Agile’s pragmatic application through a series of concrete practices at KAEFER. From daily stand-ups and sprint planning to monthly retrospectives and transparent project boards, Caron showcased Agile’s transformative potential in strengthening team cohesion and performance.
In conclusion, Caron highlighted Agile’s transformative potential in revolutionising HR practices. By fostering a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement, Agile equips organisations with the resilience needed to thrive amidst uncertainty. Embracing Agile methodologies emerges not merely as a choice but as an imperative for sustainable growth and competitive advantage.
Joanne Cairns, Assistant Director of HR at Homes England
Joanne Cairns continued the discussion by delving into Homes England’s journey with Agile HR. She shared how their early adoption of Agile methodologies was catalysed by organisational challenges, particularly in managing turnover and enhancing employee satisfaction. Joanne detailed their strategic approach, leveraging digital tools and iterative cycles to align HR practices with broader business goals.
Central to their Agile HR strategy was the clear articulation of vision and outcomes. Joanne noted the meticulous alignment of business objectives with people-related goals, facilitated by strategic workforce planning. Leveraging Microsoft tools for enhanced transparency and collaboration, Homes England streamlined task management and prioritisation, ensuring clarity and efficiency across teams.
Joanne detailed their Agile practices, such as daily stand-ups and bi-weekly retrospectives, pivotal in maintaining momentum and refining processes. These practices evolved, adapting to organisational needs and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The introduction of ‘test and learn’ methodologies, including inclusive show and tell sessions, further bolstered engagement and trust among colleagues, enabling active participation in shaping solutions.
Reflecting on their journey, Joanne highlighted key milestones from initial discovery phases using agile terminology to the development of comprehensive dashboards for workforce planning. Improvements based on feedback from directorates refined these tools, demonstrating Homes England’s commitment to adaptive, responsive HR strategies.
Joanne’s insights underlined the holistic benefits of Agile HR beyond operational efficiency, illustrating its role in nurturing a supportive and adaptive workplace culture.
Lorna Madden, Head of Recruitment, and Melanie Irving, Talent Engagement Partner, at Opencast Software
Lorna Madden discussed the central role of agile methodologies in aligning Opencast’s operations with its growth trajectory. Initially inspired by agile delivery practices within their software projects, Opencast recognised the need to extend these principles company-wide. Despite being a technology-driven organisation, Lorna acknowledged the challenges encountered during the transition, emphasising the learning curve and the importance of gradual integration across functions.
The journey commenced with a deep dive into agile principles outlined in the Agile HR book, laying a solid foundation for Opencast’s transformation efforts. Further education through an Agile HR Practitioner course proved instrumental, equipping Lorna and her team with the insights needed to embrace agile methodologies comprehensively.
In late 2022, Opencast initiated diagnostics and strategic planning sessions, encountering initial resistance from team members unfamiliar with agile concepts. Overcoming scepticism involved a strategy focused on inclusivity and gradual adoption, advancing a culture that values experimentation and flexibility. This approach enabled Opencast to refine its practices based on feedback and outcomes.
Melanie Irving elaborated on the practical application of agile HR within the organisation. Identifying two key areas—daily operations and strategic project management—Melanie illustrated how agile principles have been integrated seamlessly into their workflows.
In daily operations, Opencast employs agile practices with a two-week sprint cycle, utilising tools like Jira for task management and conducting daily stand-ups for transparent communication and issue resolution. Weekly retrospectives enable continuous improvement, ensuring their processes evolve in response to feedback and changing requirements.
Strategic project management at Opencast utilises a design thinking approach, as exemplified by their initiatives in redesigning the referrals process and bonus review system. Melanie emphasised the role of user feedback, ideation workshops, and collaborative decision-making in driving these strategic changes, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and employee engagement.
Overall, Opencast Software’s embrace of agile HR methodologies reflects its commitment to fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. By integrating agile principles into its organisational DNA, Opencast has not only adapted to growth challenges but also positioned itself for continued success.
Key Takeaways and Future Directions
The HR Leaders Breakfast Event concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees exchanged insights and practical tips for implementing Agile HR in their respective organisations. The event showed the growing momentum behind Agile methodologies in HR, driven by the need for flexibility, responsiveness, and employee-centricity in a rapidly evolving business landscape.
As organisations navigate the complexities of a post-pandemic world, Agile HR emerges not just as a methodology but as a strategic imperative for fostering resilience and driving sustainable growth. The success stories shared by Caron Deans, Joanne Cairns, Lorna Madden, and Melanie Irving serve as stimulating examples of how Agile HR can empower teams, enhance collaboration, and deliver tangible business outcomes.
In closing, Nigel Wright Group’s HR Leaders Breakfast Event stressed that while the path to Agile HR adoption may present challenges, the rewards in terms of organisational agility and employee satisfaction make it a journey worth undertaking. By embracing Agile principles and nurturing a culture of innovation, HR leaders can lead their organisations towards greater success in the digital age.