You can have great expectations when adopting agile practices in HR
Here are some benefits you can look forward to when adopting an Agile approach to HR practices.
Speed and Adaptability:
Agile methodologies emphasize quick iterations and flexibility in responding to changes.
Scenario: Traditional Treasures Co. employs traditional HR practices and needs to adapt to a sudden market shift requiring remote work policies. Having a traditional HR setup – it took weeks to formalize these changes due to hierarchical decision-making. In contrast, ChuckleCrafters Co. applies an Agile HR, supported by collaborative and quick decision-making structures. They swiftly implement flexible remote work guidelines, ensuring seamless adaptation to market demands within days.
Employee-Centric Approach:
Agile HR places a strong focus on the employee experience. It ensures robust feedback loops that are integrated into workflows and processes. It promotes collaboration and empowerment, which includes aligning HR strategies with employee needs and aspirations.
Scenario: ScratchyGears Inc. uses a monthly “pulse” survey which suggests lower employee satisfaction due to a need for increased flexibility to balance family and work responsibilities. The HR problem-solving team collaborates with employees to design a pilot program to experiment with flexible working hours to improve morale while maintaining optimal productivity.
Data-Driven Decision Making:
Agile HR relies on data analytics to inform decision-making.
Scenario: SnickerSolutions Ltd.’s HR uses analytics to conduct a trend analysis on employee turnover to identify potential attrition triggers. Using data insights, the HR team then creates a cross-functional work group to design targeted retention strategies that aim to address employee concerns and retain valuable talent.
Continuous Improvement:
Agile HR encourages a culture of continuous improvement.
Scenario: The HR team at Turkeymagic Enterprises decides to pilot frequent performance check-in conversations to augment the performance management process. This creates constant feedback, two-way communication, and higher responsiveness to coaching and upskilling needs, while poor performance is addressed almost immediately.
This establishes a constant flow of real-time performance data.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Agile HR breaks down silos and promotes collaboration.
Scenario: Wow-me-Widgets Co. knows that an effective onboarding program improves new hire retention by 82% (Brenden Hall Group).
The HR team creates a multi-disciplinary work group comprising experts from Marketing, Operations, Finance and recent new joiners to redesign an engaging process for new hires.
Embracing Change:
The essence of “embracing change” in Agile HR is reflected in the willingness to shift strategies, processes, and structures in response to evolving business needs, market trends, and employee expectations.
Scenario: Vintage Ventures Ltd. fosters a culture of experimentation and flexibility. They frequently revisit capabilities based on project needs and encourage cross-functional collaboration. The HR team consistently evaluates recruitment criteria to include a broader range of skills, emphasizing culture fit and potential for growth over stringent qualifications.
