Why Delivering Quick Wins and AGILE Iterations is the Only Way to Thrive
In 6 February 2023
Evolutionary strategy
Businesses competing in digitized markets can be framed appropriately within the context of Darwinism. Survival is based on adaptability to change rather than strength. The life expectancy of an S&P 500 company fell from 60 years in the 1950s to less than 20 in 2017, with studies suggesting that longevity is still decreasing. And it was before considering the significant and ongoing disruptions which have accentuated the conditions of uncertainty and volatility in so many ways.
Businesses have traditionally met periods of instability in various industries with some caution, which may allow a little time to pass, or competitors to make their moves first before testing the water. This approach assumes that these competitors do not pose an immediate threat.
But in the digital era, this strategy proved ineffective, with the first movers and their fastest followers as the businesses that gain the most significant competitive advantage. Although there is more risk involved in being a pioneer, the coveted number-one spot of first-mover advantage is, for most companies, the holy grail of business success that delivers the highest rewards.
The need for agility with data visibility
The success of agile design can be attributed to markets and customer demands changing with such dynamism that organizations of all sizes are forced to adjust or lose out to more agile competitors rapidly. Agile transformations can even exceed the performance of “born agile” organizations, with 30 percent improvements in indicators like employee engagement and customer satisfaction.
Within the context of the non-linear agile methodologies, data agility is a crucial factor for consideration in the definition of data strategies. Data agility is the speed at which you can source required data and put it to use, such as by improving processes or responding to customers’ changing needs.
Agile development, which employs iterations of rapid releases and short feedback loops to maximize insights gained, hugely benefits organizations, allowing for faster decisions on commercial or go-to-market strategies. This increased speed of data delivery may even reach near predictable rates to meet the iterations of agile release cycles. Agile practices also commonly operate on a ‘release on demand’ basis in which releases are either immediate or incremental and in response to demand.
How Data Analytics and Staying Agile Work Hand-in-Hand
Connected devices in the world will be 20 billion by 2025, three times the human population. In just a few years, these devices have created 90 percent of the world’s data. As a result, organizations are confronted with zettabytes of data annually, driving data mining, analytics, and a higher demand for automation.
Insights from vast tracts of data are distilled for faster learning, while shared volumes of data from customers, transactions, and engagement in different industries also need to be centralized for quicker access. Once a data strategy is in place, users can instantly access the vast knowledge of data yet easily drill down to the most relevant parts.
APGAR plays a critical role in data agility by providing the expertise to drive innovation while ensuring scalability, built-in quality, and driving value for customers. We ensure that agile practices are maintained, and we keep pace with progressive innovation for our clients.
The company benefits from a presence in different global regions and executives strategically positioned for greater proximity with customers and partners. At APGAR, we also work with thought leaders across diverse industries and sectors who help us understand industry-specific needs better to develop our solutions accordingly. The APGAR Accelerators, such as Data Catalog, Data Privacy, the MDM SAP Accelerators, and Reference Data Management are the best examples of this collaboration. APGAR not only understands market nuances and regional variations, but we also remain connected to the broader global picture to provide for all enterprises on an international level.
The last few years have been high in disruptions that have been challenging for organizations that cannot move quickly and learn from both failure and success. However, emerging technologies and changeable market dynamics are surely here to keep us on our toes, and they serve to drive a more innovative and zealous business approach.
Bruno BILLY, President APGAR North America
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