Agile Transformation for Major London Bank's IT Dept

My client, a large London bank, was in the process of reorganising its IT department as part of a trend towards Agile working. However, when I walked into their office, the transition from a Waterfall methodology (an older process-driven system) to an Agile way of working was not going very smoothly. The company wants to improve project delivery, increase flexibility, and boost stakeholder satisfaction. However, they faced significant challenges:

1. No pre-determined Agile methodology
2. Deeply entrenched Waterfall practices
3. Diverse project portfolio with varying complexities
4. Potential resistance to change
5. Regulatory compliance concerns

My Approach:
We developed a comprehensive change management strategy tailored to the bank's unique needs. My approach included:

1. Thorough current state assessment of processes, tools, and skills
2. Evaluation of various Agile methodologies to find the best fit
3. Detailed gap analysis to identify areas needing transformation
4. Stakeholder analysis and engagement planning
5. Custom organizational change management strategy
6. Agile implementation roadmap with pilot project selection
7. Tailored training and coaching plan
8. Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
9. Compliance-focused Agile governance model

Key Outcomes:
1. Successfully identified the most suitable Agile methodology for the bank
2. Developed a phased implementation plan minimizing disruption to ongoing projects
3. Created a comprehensive training program to upskill IT staff
4. Established new Agile-friendly performance metrics and reporting mechanisms
5. Designed an Agile governance framework ensuring regulatory compliance

Results:
While the project is still in its early stages, the expected results should show:
- 30% increase in project delivery speed for pilot projects
- 25% improvement in stakeholder satisfaction scores
- 20% reduction in project change requests
- Positive feedback from IT staff on new collaborative practices

This showcase demonstrates my ability to guide large, complex organizations through significant methodological shifts while addressing unique challenges in highly regulated industries.