System Thinking Concept In Agile

We have learned all about details in product thinking and agile thinking. These concepts of thinking help in making agile different from the traditional system. I have always said that the difference in agile started from the difference in mindset and thinking it adapts giving a new perspective to the system and people working with it. One of such concepts is system thinking. To develop a deeper understanding of agile and make it actively implement and adapt to obtain its overall benefits understanding system thinking is necessary. In today’s article, we will discuss in detail the conceptual basis of system thinking.

Before going directly into details of system thinking let’s see an example of where system thinking affects.

Example- In a household, a person is saying I will not buy a washing machine from a particular brand as he/she feels the clothes washed in it does not feel fresh. Even though there may be various reasons to cause this condition of not so fresh cloths. Generally, we see many such situations where people have their judgment without analyzing the causes or make hasty assessments due to personal bias. In such situations using a system, thinking is what will help.

System thinking is a holistic approach toward the solution where a system is considered as a whole and how they help in achieving the required solution. In considering our example, the various affecting factors like the type of detergent, type of fabric softener, proper operating of a machine, and regular washing machine drum cleaning with proper care depends on. Anyone of these factors may be the reason to have the current condition of clothes. It is necessary to go with the system thinking and find the right cause that is affecting clothes freshness.

To inform SAFe four foundational knowledge in agile are Agile development, system thinking, DevOps, and Lean product development. The three aspects of system thinking are

·       The solution is a System

·       Enterprise That Building a System is a System

·       Optimizing Full Value Stream

Let’s see these three aspects of system thinking

The Solution is a System

SAFe always directs the development and deployment of the complex-technology-based system. The system must be managed that deliver value and must have some critical insight such as;

·       Team members must be clear with the boundaries of the system, they must be clear with what it is, and how it interacts with its environment around.

·       An optimizing component doesn’t mean system optimization

·       Intended behavior and some higher level architecture understanding are required to make the system behave as a system

·       System values are always passed through its interconnection

·       The system knowledge growth of learning is directly proportionate to system integration and evaluation

An Enterprise that Builds a System is a System

The second aspect of the system is the people that build the system including people, management, and processes are also the system. The system must be managed, understanding is also applied in this aspect. This understanding includes the system thinking insight as;

·       Leaders must establish an environment where people collaborate on the best way to build a better system avoiding the complex system endeavor.

·       Based on a long-term trust foundation and integral development value stream, customers and suppliers must be considered as partners

·       In system thinking optimizing components does not mean optimizing the system. Therefore local teams and functional departments when optimize cannot enhance the flow of value through the enterprise

Also, this physical system value passes through its interface. So to accelerate delivery flow eliminate silos, and create a cross-functional organization

Optimize Full Value Stream

The fundamental of SAFe is the development value stream and also SAFe portfolio consists of it that delivers one or multiple solutions to the market. The third aspect of system thinking is reducing the time of concept to cash by optimizing the value stream. In system thinking leaders and managers must continuously optimize the value stream.

One of the essential processes is value stream mapping, which is a systematic way to view the steps required to produce value. This mapping helps leaders to easily recognize the value-added steps and reduce the time to market. This recognition regularly drives leaders to constantly concentrate on the delay between steps and find the proper solution to it.

By focusing on the entire system team can identify a solution and leverages it, addressing many problems in the system. This consideration of whole system analysis is a system thinking which helps in correct and accurate problem causing reasons hence, providing solution from the root cause of the problem.

 We, at Advance Agility, are the new-age Agile Coaching, Consulting and IT services company. We enable end-to-end Digital Transformation. Agile execution is integral to our being. We are doing SAFe implementation with small, medium and large organization across the globe. Our vision is to be the leading Agile execution player globally. To keep adding value at every process stage. We are on a mission to empower our clients, move from concept to cash in the shortest sustainable lead time by adopting human centric approach to business agility. Embracing the change is in our DNA. Things that keep us apart are Quicker and Seamless execution with End-to-end gamut of services. Our Global presence and Stellar Track Record give us an edge over our competitor.

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