article thumbnail

The Secret History of Agile Innovation

Harvard Business

You hear a lot about “agile innovation” these days. Teams using agile methods get things done faster than teams using traditional processes. Agile has indisputably transformed software development, and many experts believe it is now poised to expand far beyond IT. They keep customers happier.

Agile 28
article thumbnail

Continuous Development Will Change Organizations as Much as Agile Did

Harvard Business

In 2001, a new approach to technology development was created by a daring group of developers. Called Agile, the process put customers at the center of product development, encouraged rapid prototyping, and dramatically increased corporate speed and agility. aleksandarvelasevic/Getty Images. Insight Center.

Agile 28
article thumbnail

The Connection Between Employee Trust and Financial Performance

Harvard Business

This was the headquarters of Campbell Soup Company when one of us, Doug Conant, took the reins as CEO in 2001. Contrary to popular belief, cultivating a high-trust culture is not a “soft” skill — it’s a hard necessity. This clear manifestation of respect powers huge inflections in organizational culture.