Training Format

The program takes place over three weeks, with live, synchronous classes every Tuesday and Thursday (between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM ET, including a 15-minute break and a 30-minute break), and small group discussions for learning and networking in the early mornings. Class sessions will take place via the Zoom platform. You will also have ample opportunity for interaction with faculty and peers inside and outside the class sessions.

Apply

What You Will Learn

Through faculty presentations, case studies, interactive exercises, small-group discussions, and guest speakers including some case protagonists, you will explore the importance of organizational agility and how to implement structures and processes that create a more agile organization over the short and long term. As you become conversant with the frameworks, tools, and terminology of agile methods, you will be better able to strike the right balance between managing day-to-day business and remaining responsive to change and opportunity.

Collaborative learning is an integral part of the experience. To maximize the benefit for everyone, you are expected to attend every session, complete all assignments, and contribute effectively in the class and in small groups. We advise setting aside a total of 3-5 hours per week for case preparation in addition to the synchronous class sessions.

Participants should expect to spend at least 9-12 hours on self-paced case preparation prior to attending the program. Case materials will be made available approximately 10 days prior to program start.

Key Topics

Understanding the agility imperative

Recognizing the demand for agility
Examining the relationship between agility and ability to scale
Moving from strategic imperative to organizational responses

Creating an agile governance model

Finding the right measures to drive agility
Employing Objectives and Key Results (OKR) as a performance management tool
Using performance data to drive results
Implementing governance structures for flexible resource allocation
Evolving more agile risk management

Implementing agility

Applying agile elements: roles, ceremonies, and artifacts in the Scrum framework
Creating an agile workforce
Exploring "hacks" for quickly implementing agility best practices
Providing space for experimentation (including digital experimentation), creativity, and iterative problem solving
Bringing agility to entrepreneurial initiatives within your company
Incorporating design thinking into an agile mindset
Enabling an outside-in innovation approach that leverages deep customer insight

Teaming for agility

Leading agile teams
Establishing team norms, goals, and processes
Creating effective cross-functional teams
Creating psychological safety and helping team members feel comfortable with change

Organizing for agility

Establishing "freedom within a framework"
Shifting from a rules-based to a principles-based organizational culture
Fostering transparency and trust
Removing organizational barriers and silos
Applying a design perspective to internal processes and systems