How time flies

This week marks the one-year anniversary of Berriault & Associates Consulting Group, a milestone that, by all accounts, has been anything but ordinary. They say the first year in business is the toughest, and with the end of 2019 and the whirlwind that was 2020, it sometimes felt like climbing Mount Everest might have been easier than launching a new company in such unpredictable times.

As we wrap up our first year, we’re grateful to be ending on a strong note and looking forward to what’s next. Much like the organizations we support, it’s been our commitment to agile values, behaviours, and adaptability that has allowed us to navigate shifting demands and continue delivering for our clients.

Looking back on countless conversations this year, one theme stands out: while agile delivery is a hot topic, whether for products or services, the deeper cultural shift that true agility requires hasn’t fully taken root in many organizations. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard, “Our agile development is fine,” only to see the data and real-world results tell a different story.

As I’ve shared in previous blogs, many organizations claim to follow agile values and principles but struggle to mature their delivery. Only a select few have succeeded in making agility a company-wide reality. Even tech giants like Google and Microsoft have invested heavily in building an agile culture across all levels.

The problem often lies in a narrow focus: senior leaders tend to see agile as something for the “delivery” teams—developers, QA, product managers, architects—and don’t apply the same mindset to themselves or the broader organization. The old “command and control” mentality lingers, with leaders saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” This disconnect creates frustration and stalls progress. As Jeff Dalton puts it, “It’s not about doing agile; it’s about being agile.”

Many believe that simply adopting Scrum, XP, LeSS, SAFe, or the latest hybrid methodology makes them agile. That’s a misconception. While these frameworks can boost efficiency and speed, they only get you so far. Think of these methods as apps; they all need a robust, continuously improving operating system to run smoothly. For organizations, that OS is culture. Leadership must keep the culture updated and healthy, so every product or service can be delivered efficiently and with high quality.

Changing culture isn’t easy, but it’s the key to unlocking untapped value. The good news? Organizations already practicing agile are well-positioned to embrace incremental changes—small shifts that, over time, drive lasting transformation and real results.

As we close out our first year, our mission is stronger than ever: to help organizations discover and harness the value that’s just waiting to be unlocked. We’re here to open doors and guide you toward your full potential.

Curious about how strong your organization’s agile foundation really is?
Let’s connect for a high-level assessment and explore the opportunities waiting for you. Book a call