Everyone is talking about agility – agile project management, agile organizations, agile supply chain. But what does this mean in concrete terms? What concrete measures are needed to implement it? At this point, there is usually helplessness.

What is undisputed, however, is that project business and seasonal fluctuations as well as new technologies, political developments, natural disasters and, for example, pandemics such as Covid19 constantly present companies with new challenges to which they must respond adequately at very short notice. The ever-increasing individualization for customers, shorter product life cycles and consequently an increased need for new product developments in an ever-shorter period of time also demand more flexibility in the company and interdepartmental cooperation.

Flexibilization as an all-purpose weapon

Despite all its advantages, however, agility is not an all-purpose weapon that makes established structures and processes superfluous and can completely replace them. Companies face the challenge of distinguishing when an agile organization makes sense and when to rely on classic solutions.

The ability to switch between the two organizational states, at least in some areas, is also a challenge. Agile working requires independent and networked employees and teams, flatter hierarchies and greater decentralization within the organization and in decision-making.

Last but not least, the creation of a corporate culture in which agility is expected and encouraged in equal measure is also important for the organizational and process-related implementation of agility in the company. Anyone who wants to know how the topic of agility can be anchored in the procurement organization and realized with concrete measures should therefore turn to a consultancy with a strong practical orientation.

Could we arouse your interest? We at ADCONIA GmbH have the necessary competencies and the wealth of experience to accompany customers in the definition and implementation for agile procurement. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

 

Sinja Krauskopf

Consultant, ADCONIA GmbH