Can an Agile organizational culture lead to more successful innovation in the workplace?
My 2016 dissertation research examined the relationship between corporate culture and the creative endeavor of innovation in the software development industry. The outcome of this research suggests that elements of corporate culture – specifically time, resources, collaboration, and management buy-in and follow-through – do have a direct effect on innovation, and that practical implementation of workplace changes could increase the success of innovative efforts.
My experience (and probably yours!) with Agile/Scrum development teams indicates that Agile values align with the outcomes from this research. When organizations are intentional about being innovative, part of that effort must involve changing the culture of the organization with regard to employees’ use of time, teamwork, and the management of human resources.
Together, let’s examine the connection between Agile values, Scrum practices, corporate culture, and innovation, and talk about how teams and organizations can become more innovative through Agile.
Senior Technical Writer, Forcepoint
Heidi Sandler is a senior technical writer with over 20 years of experience working with Scrum teams in the corporate world. She also teaches online writing classes for Rise Out, an educational non-profit organization. Heidi collaborated on the writing and editing of Wanderlust, a family memoir, and edited Steamscapes: North America, and Steamscapes: Asia, alternative history/steampunk game-setting books. Heidi holds a doctorate (Ed.D.) in Leadership in Curriculum and Instruction from Aurora University.