Adapting to change on this scale is a once in a lifetime event, akin to an Agile transformation. Nowadays, we see our politicians regularly appearing to tell us about the new measurements that are being set in place. The goal is to flatten the COVID-19 curve in order to unburden the hospitals and let the coronavirus outbreak run relatively controlled. We want to do everything to prevent ourselves from the next Spanish Flu.
Why is COVID-19 the biggest Agile transformation ever?
Processes, procedures, protocols that are written in the past do not matter anymore. When the goal – in this case, the security of international health – will be endangered, rules, processes and procedures will be thrown out. To make a change, stricter measures were taken: closing HoReCa, events, schools, etc., ones that affect many people’s lives.
Two elements of change
The question we should ask ourselves is whether these measures have positive effects and if they lead to the proposed goal. We can speak of two elements of change:
- ‘Discover while developing’. We know if it works only after we tried it out.
- ‘Adjust after receiving (quick) feedback. If it works, we keep on doing it. If it doesn’t, we need to re-adjust.
On a different level, something similar happens
Other countries and provinces are facing complete lockdown. For safety measures, companies have to ask their employees to go under quarantine.
The organizations familiar with adapting to change and Agile transformation are now already looking for the right things to do, and are even trying to set up and make things work. Many companies are facing a dilemma: should you take the risk on health issues and let your employees go to work, or do you follow the recommendations of remote work, even if your business is not prepared for it?
From office work to working from home
Soon, a few organizations came up with a solution: working from home. This means adapting. No colleagues to have a chat with, no coffee breaks (at least with colleagues). It can bring emotional isolation.
A few examples: ‘we hope that it will take a while before the government asked for everyone to work remote, our servers will or be able to handle it.’
Solution: ‘make a schedule where different groups can access the server at different times.’ A solution as it holds, a solution it is.
Tips and tricks to work from home
- Plan your day
- Take a break and go for a walk.
- Organise an ‘online after work’. Wemanity The Netherlands have one at 5pm on Friday!
- Wake up and dress as you would go to the office.
- Organise a digital coffee break.
Tips and tricks when calling in an online meeting
- No multitasking (e.g. No emails replying while calling)
- When annoyed, speak up!
- Reduce background noise.
- Choose a facilitator and keep the focus on the goal of the call/meeting
To make the difference and be able to survive, the government, company and ourselves as individuals need to try and adapt really quickly.
How Agile are you? How quick can you adapt to your surroundings? Two questions that will be answered very quickly on an organizational level.
