Agility has emerged as a critical strategy, allowing organizations to manage uncertainty and foster innovation in an era marked by economic turbulence, technological advancements, and ongoing talent migration that hold businesses in a relentless battle for relevance.
Three agility experts—Rumesh Wijetunge, Director and Co-founder of Business Agility Tune-Up, Ishari Siriwardane, General Manager of Digital Transformation Projects at Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), and Nilantha Wijayanatha, Vice President of Engineering Excellence at IFS—share their perspectives on how agile methodologies are helping businesses navigate this challenging landscape.
As companies grapple with economic instability and the rapid pace of technological change, agility becomes essential. Wijetunge stresses that the ability to make decisions swiftly is now a requirement. “Organizations are pushed to make decisions quickly, challenging traditional structures and cultures,” he explains. Building on this, Siriwardane highlights how the telecommunications sector benefits from the rapid adoption of agile methodologies. She underscores the importance of agility in staying ahead of technological innovations such as 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence. “Telcos must embrace technology faster than others because we are enablers,” she says, adding that agility allows SLT to introduce new products and services efficiently.
From a broader perspective, Wijayanatha says that agility is not just a process but a mindset. In the software industry, where IFS operates, continuous adaptation is vital. “Agility is about evolving with change,” he notes, suggesting that businesses now see themselves as either technology companies or tech-enabled entities regardless of their core offerings.
Leadership plays a central role in fostering agility within an organization. Wijetunge explains that long-term planning is no longer feasible in today’s fast-changing environment. Instead, leaders must set flexible goals that allow for rapid adjustments. “Gone are the days when you could plan two to three years ahead,” he remarks. Siriwardane agrees, adding that leaders must cultivate a culture of experimentation and collaboration. “Leaders need to foster a culture where teams work together and share ideas openly to solve problems,” she says.
At IFS, Wijayanatha discusses the challenge of managing large-scale product development while promoting innovation. He highlights the need for leadership to align teams with company objectives yet encourage autonomy for innovation. “In a low-autonomy, high-alignment environment, innovation struggles. But if autonomy is high and alignment is low, teams move in different directions,” he explains. Achieving high autonomy with strong alignment is the key to enabling creativity and focus.
Implementing agile methodologies involves more than just adopting new tools—it requires reshaping how work is managed and how teams collaborate. Wijetunge outlines how Business Agility Tune-Up assists organizations in this transformation, starting with value stream mapping to identify inefficiencies. Once this is done, objectives are set for each value stream, and teams are aligned to meet these goals. Siriwardane points out how SLT plans to embark on a journey that applies agile principles in product development, allowing the company to introduce new services in a timely manner while minimizing risks. Agility, she notes, must permeate the entire organization, not just the product development teams.
For IFS, maintaining alignment across its numerous agile teams while allowing them to innovate independently is crucial. Wijayanatha emphasizes that agile leadership means empowering teams while keeping them aligned with company goals. “Alignment is critical when you have so many teams working on a single product,” he states.
Balancing innovation with operational stability presents another challenge for organizations adopting agile methodologies. Siriwardane explains that at SLT, maintaining uninterrupted service while introducing new technologies requires careful planning. Agile principles help break down tasks, prioritize them, and track real-time progress, minimizing risks while driving innovation. Wijayanatha adds that granting teams autonomy must be earned through a maturity process, with leaders coaching them to be self-sufficient. “The job of leaders is to guide their teams on that journey,” he notes.
Looking ahead, all three experts believe agile methodologies will continue to evolve. Wijetunge observes that organizations are increasingly moving beyond traditional frameworks, developing versions of agile tailored to their unique needs. Siriwardane emphasizes that agility will apply not just to people but also to infrastructure, particularly in industries like telecommunications. “Our systems need to be agile to respond to future technological changes,” she explains.
Wijayanatha concludes that as long as businesses face uncertainty, agile principles will remain crucial. “As long as we have to deal with change, collaboration and adaptability will stay relevant,” he affirms.
Agile methodologies are indispensable for organizations navigating rapid change, helping them remain competitive in an unpredictable environment. More than just a business choice, agility is a critical ingredient allowing businesses to adapt quickly, drive innovation, and maintain operational stability while responding to evolving market conditions. Embracing this mindset will define the success of businesses in the face of ongoing challenges.