In theory the introduction of agile can deliver a huge number of benefits. However it still poses a challenge in terms of adoption, especially when it comes to testing, and in practice assuming the right principles and approaches, enabling mind set changes of key stakeholders and planning out a successful agile journey is not an easy task. Sogeti UK's agile Subject Matter Expert, Daryl Searle, explores the benefits and pitfalls of agile and highlights how a selection of our clients have transitioned to agile methods including the outcomes they have seen.

1. Agile in “Real Life”
Overcoming challenges
and keeping relevant
Daryl Searle
Delivery Director & Agile SME
Sogeti UK

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• Sogeti 2006-2010, and again since May 2013
• UK Agile Subject Matter Expert (SME)
• Delivery Director
• Over 15 years of software testing experience
• 6+ years experience delivering agile projects in
the finance sector.
• Photography
Sogeti
Passions
Background
About me

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Poll #1
Where are you in your agile journey?
• At the beginning, still considering how to proceed
• Already piloting our approach, facing some challenges
• Agile approach we have adopted isn’t meeting the expected
objectives
• Already running agile, reaping some benefits & looking for
further efficiencies
• Happy with level of agile implementation, wanting to share
experiences
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2013-14 World Quality Report - agile
Quotes taken from the WQR:
“I think that a lot of the issue with agile and/or Scrum is the fact people are unsure of how best to
approach it. People have run many waterfall projects so they understand the needs and when to perform
testing. Scrum is more difficult”
“The most significant challenge is in the fact that there isn't an adequate testing approach that fits the
agile development environment. We are trying to use traditional methods of testing designed for waterfall
development”
There is a market for an Agile solution:
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Poll #2
What type of agile approach is your business using?
• DSDM
• Scrum
• Kanban
• XP
• No specific approach / a hybrid
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Main drivers for adopting agile principles
Though there may be others, the most popular reasons for companies
adopting agile are:
• Decreased time to market,
attempting to gain competitive
advantage
• Delivering products to protect or
enhance brand recognition /
reputation
• Delivering to budget, reducing
costs through efficiency.
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Why does agile ‘fail’?
What agile isn't…
Do project stakeholders / sponsors understand the commitment required?
Are the team empowered?
Does the business have one voice?
Investment is required; it’s not just monetary, it’s people…
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Understanding the project roadmap
• Importance of Product Owner commitment
• Importance of having a roadmap with feature groups
defined, to offer options to react to market conditions.
• Importance of understanding the dependencies of release
• Example of 2008 market crash
• Keep the release train moving
• Gain competitive advantage
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Where does testing fit in?
• Full and active part in game planning, promoting collaboration and
questioning acceptance with the ‘what if?’ statement
• Does the role of the tester have to change?
• I’d see it as more of an expansion of role…
• Can offshore play a part…?
• The continued role of the tester,
retrospectives and change…
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Implementing constant improvements
• Learning from experience
• Retrospective actions and improvements
• Digital Transformation
• Staying ahead of the trends, asset re-use and the multi-channel
experience
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Case study #1
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Case study #2
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Case study #3
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Case study #4
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The sum of all parts…..
• Raising awareness with stakeholders
with respect to investment in money
and people
• Reducing cost and time through
innovating multi-purposed frameworks
• Raising quality, through utilising
domain experts on and offshore
• Sustaining revenue growth, through
predictability, flexibility and managing
risk
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17. Any questions?

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Contact me
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Connect Sogeti
Connect with Sogeti for more information about our services and
events:
enquiries.uk@sogeti.com
facebook.com/SogetiUK
twitter.com/uk_sogeti
linkedin.com/company/sogeti-uk
youtube.com/sogetiuk
blog.uk.sogeti.com/
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Other resources
Video: Sogeti’s agile services
For more information on our agile services, take a look at our YouTube video:
http://youtu.be/3pIXEgd9fM8
Paper: Agile Business Services
Alternatively please download our Agile Business Services paper to discover
how Sogeti can guide and support you at any stage of your agile journey:
http://www.uk.sogeti.com/agile-services
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21. Thank you