Formation Agile is more than just a buzzword—it is the foundational element of creating adaptive, collaborative, high-performing teams. It's not just about implementing frameworks like Scrum or Kanban; it's about establishing the behaviours, mindsets, and culture that enable true agility.
At its core, Formation Agile is laying the groundwork for an agile organization. It involves fostering a shared ethos, shaping mental models, and building mindsets that align with agile principles. Here is why Formation Agile is crucial, how it transforms teams, and what steps you can take to ensure its success.
What is Formation Agile? Formation Agile refers to the intentional process of preparing teams and organizations to adapt and thrive in an agile environment. It focuses on:
- Defining the Why: Establishing the purpose and values that drive agility within your organization.
- Shaping the How: Building mental models and mindsets that support collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
- Delivering the What: Implement frameworks and processes aligning with your organization's goals and delivering measurable outcomes.
Formation Agile is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's a tailored approach considering your organization's unique challenges, culture, and objectives.
Why Formation Agile is Essential Formation Agile is the foundation for achieving agility that lasts. Here's why it's critical for organizations:
- Aligning Purpose and Actions Formation Agile starts with understanding your organization's purpose—your "why." This ensures that your team's action aligns with your overarching goals and values, creating a cohesive and purpose-driven culture.
- Building Resilient Teams Agile environments thrive on collaboration and adaptability. Formation Agile helps teams develop the trust, communication, and problem-solving skills needed to navigate uncertainty and deliver value consistently.
- Driving Sustainable Change Agile transformations often falter when teams focus solely on frameworks. Formation Agile emphasizes behaviours and mindsets, ensuring that change is implemented and evolves.
- Delivering Customer Value By focusing on customer collaboration and feedback, Formation Agile ensures that teams stay aligned with customer needs, delivering meaningful outcomes with every sprint.
How Formation Agile Aligns Ethos, Mental Models, and Mindsets Formation Agile is a journey that aligns
ethos (the guiding principles and values),
mental models (how teams interpret and respond to their environment), and
mindsets (attitudes and beliefs that drive behaviours). Together, these elements create a foundation for agility that goes
beyond frameworks.- Ethos: Defining the Why
At the heart of Formation Agile is ethos—the shared values and principles that guide your organization. For example, an ethos of
customer-first thinking ensures that teams prioritize value delivery, while an ethos of
adaptability fosters resilience in the face of change.
- Mental Models: Shaping the How
Mental models influence how teams approach challenges and make decisions. Formation Agile helps teams develop models emphasizing collaboration, continuous learning, and iterative progress.
- Mindsets: Driving the What
Mindsets determine how teams behave and interact. Formation Agile nurtures mindsets of trust, accountability, and innovation, enabling teams to thrive in dynamic environments.
Steps to Implement Formation Agile If your organization is ready to embrace Formation Agile, here are the key steps to get started:
- Define Your Ethos Begin by clarifying your organization's purpose and values. What drives your teams? What principles will guide your agile ecosystem?
- Assess Your Current State Use tools like agile readiness assessments to identify strengths and areas for improvement. This creates a clear roadmap for your Formation Agile journey.
- Foster Collaboration and Trust Build team dynamics that prioritize trust, open communication, and shared ownership. Tools like Everything DiSC™ can help teams understand each other's behaviours and improve collaboration.
- Adopt Tailored Frameworks Choose agile frameworks and practices that align with your organization's needs. Whether it's Scrum, Kanban, or a hybrid approach, ensure that your processes support your ethos and goals.
- Invest in Leadership Development Agile evolution requires strong, adaptable leaders. Provide coaching and training to help leaders model agile behaviours and guide their teams confidently.
Formation Agile in Action A marketing agency faced misaligned priorities, communication breakdowns, and resistance to change. Through our
Formation Agile approach, we helped the organization:
- Define an ethos of collaboration, adaptability, and customer focus.
- Use Everything DiSC™ to improve team communication and trust.
- Tailor their agile practices to fit their workflows, resulting in a 20% boost in project delivery speed.
By aligning their ethos, mental models, and mindsets, the agency improved their processes and built a culture of agility that continues to drive success.
The Role of Berriault & Associates in Formation Agile At Berriault & Associates, we specialize in guiding organizations through Formation Agile. Our
Evolutionary Agilist™ Program focuses on:
- Behaviour-Driven Coaching: Helping teams build trust, communication, and collaboration for agile success.
- Tailored Agile Training: Provide customized workshops and coaching to meet your organization's needs.
- Leadership Development: Equipping leaders with the skills to guide their teams through change and uncertainty.
Our approach goes beyond frameworks, focusing on the human element of agility to create lasting transformation.
Why Formation Agile is the Key to Long-Term Success Formation Agile is more than a process—it's a mindset and culture that empowers organizations to thrive in complex, dynamic environments. By aligning ethos, mental models, and mindsets, organizations can:
- Deliver value consistently.
- Build resilient, high-performing teams.
- Navigate change with confidence.
Start Your Formation Agile Journey Today At Berriault & Associates, we're passionate about helping organizations unlock their potential through Formation Agile. Whether you're just starting your agile journey or looking to refine your approach, our tailored programs can guide you every step of the way.
Ready to build your agile foundation? Contact us today at
647-490-7515 or email
jberriault@berriaultandassociates.com to learn more about our
Evolutionary Agilist™ Program and workshops.
Let's work together to create teams that don't just adapt—they lead.
