Transformation and how we f**k it up.

Recently a good friend of mine in the banking sector was discussing how frustrating their reporting processes are. Despite being well progressed on an 'agile transformation', the PMO still rolls out the tired old chestnuts of "it's an audit requirement" and "we need it for group" to justify processes that are onerous and bloated but feel comfortable to the old guard.

I'll openly acknowledge that banking is a regulated industry, which brings numerous regulatory obligations. Still, you can imagine the frustration for my friend, whose expertise is process improvement with years of experience in genuinely agile digital businesses.

I think the clichés are symptoms of a deeper problem.

Perspective gets in the way of progress - if you let it.

It might be shit, but "it's way better than it was"; herein lies the crux of the challenge. Folks who remember the 'old days' are blissfully ignorant. They've already been through significant change, and frankly, they feel their new way of working is infinitely better. Whilst a fresh set of eyes can see all the plot holes in the new Agile narrative, there's no appetite or impetus for further improvement.

When done right, transformation introduces new ways of working that increase visibility, adaptability and focus on business value. The trouble with typical 'transformation' is that folks often see it as a one-time event; rather than a perpetual evolutionary process.

If the challenge to continuous improvement is perspective, I think the solution is changing mindset. The folks at Atlassian describe this succinctly. "The agile mindset is a thought process that involves understanding, collaborating, learning, and staying flexible to achieve high-performing results. This way of thinking helps teams adapt to change, rather than struggle around it."

For transformation to be successful, we need to stop treating it as a 'project' tasked with 'changing our ways of working'; and instead approach this as a shift to a continuous improvement mindset. That will undoubtedly make it harder to cost and bookend for many business leaders, but those who won't settle for "it's better than it was" will have the most impact.

So tell me, where are you at? Yet to transform, stuck in "it's better than before" hell, or genuinely engaged in continuous improvement? I’d love to know.