Adopting agile in a non-technical Finance Team environment

Agile Finance Coaching and Training – Brita UK contacted Being Agile about a course and training in agile methods for process improvement projects in their finance department. While Brita already use agile for their software development in Germany, their UK Finance dept were looking to expand use of agile working in the business specifically in non-technical environments.

BRITA is internationally renowned for its expertise in the field of drinking water optimisation and individualisation. This family Company discovered a niche in the market and invented the water filter jug 50 years ago. Approximately 250 million people drink BRITA optimised water worldwide. This family Company has been expanding successfully into international markets since 1980, with the result that BRITA products are now available virtually everywhere. BRITA optimised water flows in households, restaurants and from vending machines and water dispensers all over the world.

Online training and coaching was provided by video conferencing providing a customised introduction for agile in Finance and support its implementation and application.

Brita’s training was customised to include its application to project management, process improvement and team working specifically at Brita UK.

3 key goals were established for the training:

  • Learn and experience the Agile project management methodology to apply it in a diverse range of ongoing and future BRITA UK projects.
  • Learn the tools used in the Agile project management approach to include the most relevant ones to the new BRITA UK Process Improvement Management framework that is being developed.
  • Identify the scenarios where the Agile project management approach is more suitable to be applied against other project management approaches.

Feedback on the course was excellent with 5/5 across the board for course format and structure, value for money and its content and materials.

“The clear message about the essence and tools of agile and Belinda’s attitude were reported as the most enjoyable elements of the course.”

Agile was implemented at a personal level initially with an existing project during the training and then on a team project. The course also included comparison with other project management and process improvement methods including Lean.

Key takeaways included:

  • Agile is a state of mind.
  • Agile transforms you into a visual person/team.
  • Agile enables positive debate and understanding about what should be done, when and by who.

“Belinda helped me to understand the concept and details of the Agile approach in a very effective way and with an excellent balance between breadth and depth. We also had the chance to talk about the different possibilities and options of applying Agile to the context of the business including suggestions of the best approach to start using it in real cases. As someone with Project Management background I really enjoyed the experience as it allowed me to expand my project management “toolkit”. I will start applying Agile in the business in the short term with special attention to its visibility and team coordination features.

“If you are always looking for ways to make you, your team and your business smarter then I strongly recommend this course. Thanks Belinda!” Percy Griffiths, Process Improvement Manager, Finance & IT, BRITA UK. (Training delegate)

For further information on training and coaching for your teams adoption of agile please contact info@beingagile.co.uk

Agile Finance Team – Brita’s training was customised from the online introduction project management course currently available and extended to include its application to process improvement and team working.

Being Agile training is particularly suitable for non-technical people that wish to implement agile working in non-technical environments in a variety of ways.

This course is also suitable for non technical people working with agile teams on a digital project where there is little or no knowledge of technology and software development and can be customised to work on specific project and programmes.

One to one Introduction to Agile Project Management Course – Agile Finance Team

This agile session will introduce the key concepts, methods and tools used in Agile Project Management applied in non-technical projects and environments, specifically Finance at Brita UK. The session will be tailored for the individual enabling them to explore the adoption and adaption of agile for their own projects and working environment.

  • Agile Thinking – the key concepts and principles of agile project management
  • Agile Method – the key features of an agile project model and its delivery methods
  • Agile Practices – outline of key tools used to manage an agile project (including dashboard, retrospectives and prioritisation tools)

The course will include a follow up session. A pack including a copy of the ‘Being agile in Business’ book, course slides, a template dashboard will be send prior to the online session

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“If you are always looking for ways to make you, your team and your business smarter then I strongly recommend this course. Thanks Belinda!”

Percy Griffiths, Process Improvement Manager, Finance & IT, BRITA UK.