Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review

Agility Hacks

By: Amy C. Edmondson and Ranjay Gulati
  • Format:Print
ShareBar

Abstract

In the past 20 years, the agile approach to improving products, services, and processes has swept the business world. Rooted in software development, agile has spread to many other functions, and some companies have turned much of their organization, including the C-suite, into agile teams. But agile is not suitable for all circumstances, particularly in carrying out the many key operations and functions of an organization that require consistency and efficiency. This article describes how large established companies can use agility hacks to temporarily bypass their standard processes to act quickly and effectively while leaving the overall system alone.

Keywords

Agile Practices; Agile Project Management; Projects; Management Practices and Processes; Groups and Teams; Innovation Strategy

Citation

Edmondson, Amy C., and Ranjay Gulati. "Agility Hacks." Harvard Business Review 99, no. 6 (November–December 2021).
  • Find it at Harvard
  • Register to Read

About The Authors

Amy C. Edmondson

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

Ranjay Gulati

Organizational Behavior
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • May 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Volkswagen and Suzuki: A Match Made in Heaven (A)? and An Alliance Breaks Down (B1, B2)

    By: Ranjay Gulati and Bradley Turner
    • May 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Executive Decision-Making at Zola

    By: Amy C. Edmondson and Michael Roberto
    • April 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Transforming BlackBerry: From Smartphones to Software

    By: Ranjay Gulati and Eppa Rixey
More from the Authors
  • Volkswagen and Suzuki: A Match Made in Heaven (A)? and An Alliance Breaks Down (B1, B2) By: Ranjay Gulati and Bradley Turner
  • Executive Decision-Making at Zola By: Amy C. Edmondson and Michael Roberto
  • Transforming BlackBerry: From Smartphones to Software By: Ranjay Gulati and Eppa Rixey
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College