Top 100 Investment Bank - Road to Agile

QUICK FACTS

Client

Leading financial institution

Project

Move from Waterfall to Agile Development Methodology

Issues

• Agile methodology was implemented as a replacement for Waterfall to increase efficiency
• Software needed to rollout iteratively in order to capitalize on the value of the software to the user community
• Higher accountability and greater user acceptance were required
• Greater value of the software was a critical driver
• All teams need to be trained on how to adopt the Agile methodology

Whitridge Solution

• Created a plan to provide formal training of existing consultants while management was being trained independently
• Training required consultants to gain Agile expertise and be up-to-speed on the needs and changes of using Agile
• Scoped the overall needs of the training
• Program was configured to get the team functioning quickly
• Conducted a multi-day training and follow up program

Key Benefits

• Agile methodology was systematically rolled out across the client’s teams
• Training was conducted and sponsored by Whitridge
• Software projects are now run through iterative development allowing critical functions to be in place as other areas are being developed and implemented
• Whitridge’s consultants have the highest quality ratings at the client
• The completion of successful assignments has increased
• The entire team is focused on greater accountability
• User acceptance is high
• Software is being consumed by the user audience and getting the greatest shelf life possible
• Huge cost savings realized from working with Whitridge
• Able to expand the program for additional and new teams

Client Situation

Our client, a leading financial institution, decided in 2013 to move from a Waterfall development methodology to Agile. They had been experiencing struggles completing software projects and getting their software in the hands of users promptly due to issues with their existing methodology. Additionally, the finalization of software was so ill-timed that it led to out-of-date software immediately upon release.

They needed to be able to bring releases of software to market iteratively in order to capitalize on the effectiveness of the software. They needed higher accountability, greater user acceptance and greater efficacy of the software provided. However, very little of their existing team had the knowledge required to adopt Agile quickly. They were going to need to train their entire team of project managers, business analysts, systems analysts, and software development.

Issues

• Agile methodology was implemented as a replacement for Waterfall to increase efficiency
• Software needed to rollout iteratively in order to capitalize on the value of the software to the user community
• Higher accountability and greater user acceptance were required
• Greater value of the software was a critical driver
• All teams need to be trained on how to adopt the Agile methodology

Whitridge Solution

As a tenured vendor, we took a proactive approach to the client’s problem. We created a plan to provide formal training of existing consultants while management was being trained independently. The training required consultants to gain Agile expertise and be up-to-speed on the needs and changes of using Agile in the development process. All consultants were encouraged to take advantage of the “no cost” training.

Working with the client, we scoped the overall needs of the training and ensured a fit with their needs. The program was configured to get the team functioning quickly and capitalizing on the benefits that Agile brings.

Our Agile Scrum Master conducted a multi-day training and follow up program with consultants for ongoing client benefit and growth of the program. The client has stated continually how impressed they were that we took a leadership role in the process. This effort was a significant investment and effort on Whitridge’s part, but our commitment to the client’s success was unwavering. The iterative nature of Agile allowed the client to produce their software efficiently and delivered measurable improvement in results.

Key Benefits

• Agile methodology was systematically rolled out across the client’s teams
• Training was conducted and sponsored by Whitridge
• Software projects are now run through iterative development allowing critical functions to be in place as other areas are being developed and implemented
• Whitridge’s consultants have the highest quality ratings at the client
• The completion of successful assignments has increased
• The entire team is focused on greater accountability
• User acceptance is high
• Software is being consumed by the user audience and getting the greatest shelf life possible
• Huge cost savings realized from working with Whitridge
• Able to expand the program for additional and new teams

About Whitridge Associates

Whitridge Associates provides expert talent to a diverse group of financial services companies, technology companies, defense contractors, and healthcare providers throughout the country. With a history of over 22 years of unparalleled service to both our clients and consultants, Whitridge is one of the most highly regarded talent acquisition firms in Greater Boston.

Think Whitridge. Think Success.