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Agility Hacks

By: Amy C. Edmondson and Ranjay Gulati
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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).
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About The Authors

Amy C. Edmondson

Technology and Operations Management
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Ranjay Gulati

Organizational Behavior
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  • Workplace Conditions By: Jill Maben, Jane Ball and Amy C. Edmondson
  • First to Fight? Culture, Tradition and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) By: Ranjay Gulati, Akhil Iyer and Joel Malkin
  • Veeva Systems and the Transformation to a Public Benefit Corporation By: Ranjay Gulati and Allison M. Ciechanover
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