Case Study
Project & Portfolio Consultancy: Unblocking Agile Delivery in the Third Sector
Company
Anonymised
Industry
Nonprofit (Charity)
Project Type
Project, Programme & Delivery Consultancy
Overview
A UK-based charity teams up with Kerv Consult to increase the velocity of their agile teams
This case study reflects on our journey with a UK-based charity, a respected organisation dedicated to the service they provide across the country.
They have significantly improved the lives of 36,000 individuals through their work and aspire to create a future where every person in their area has the confidence and support they need to live their lives fully.
Challenge
The charity set an ambitious goal: to increase its support base from 200,000 people in 2018 to 500,000 by 2024.
To achieve this, they launched several projects, the most significant of which focused on developing their ERP system to manage all operations.
The Application Development Team (ADT) had adopted agile methodologies but was still navigating the complexities of this approach. The slow velocity was impacting the timelines of their key project and their ability to meet its strategic goals. Recognising the need for expert guidance, they turned to Kerv Consult.
Solution
We undertook a comprehensive assessment of both the agile methodologies in use and the relationship between the ADT, the projects, portfolio, and business.
This assessment was conducted by two part-time consultants, who focused on understanding the problem, identifying issues, and recommending solutions, while also achieving quick wins along the way. One consultant focused on the team and delivery, while the other examined the wider organisational context.
After agreeing on a way forward, we were provided with an interview schedule, reading materials on the ways of working, access to the system and tools used by the charity for delivery management, and invitations to various team ceremonies. This preparation allowed the team to hit the ground running. The recommendations included restructuring the team, simplifying the workflow, estimation and capacity modelling, removing unprioritised work from the backlog, and refining incident management and release management processes.
Additionally, we provided guidance on incorporating agile planning into their more linear project and portfolio planning activity, enabling more accurate scheduling and costing of projects.
“The benefit from this extra spend has already been delivered; the fact that it also provides longer term sustainable benefit makes it a no brainer! This is going to be the best extra budget I have spent this year!”
Result
The first noticeable outcome was the transformation of the team from a defensive, disjointed unit to a re-energised, motivated, and collaborative group. Despite spending less time in meetings, the team’s effectiveness improved, saving as much as 40 hours a week in meetings, which increased output.
The most significant metric was a fourfold increase in velocity during the first month due to the changes implemented by us, even though the team was still involved in designing and implementing the changes during this time.
This case study is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value and transforming the way organisations work. We are honoured to have been a part of the charity’s journey towards achieving their ambitious goals. Our engagement with this charity demonstrates our ability to understand the unique challenges faced by our clients and to provide tailored solutions that drive real change.
We believe that our approach, which combines a deep understanding of agile methodologies with a commitment to collaboration and trust-building, can help organisations of all sizes and across all sectors to achieve their strategic goals. We look forward to continuing to support this charity and other organisations on their journey towards greater agility and effectiveness.
Featured insights
Other case studies you may want to read
Speak our experts!
Give us a few details and we’ll get right back to you.
"*" indicates required fields
Case Study
Project & Portfolio Consultancy: Unblocking Agile Delivery in the Third Sector
Company
Anonymised
Industry
Nonprofit (Charity)
Project Type
Project, Programme & Delivery Consultancy
Please note: This project was completed by WORTH, which later rebranded as Kerv Digital upon joining Kerv Group.
Overview
A UK-based charity teams up with Kerv Consult to increase the velocity of their agile teams
This case study reflects on our journey with a UK-based charity, a respected organisation dedicated to the service they provide across the country.
They have significantly improved the lives of 36,000 individuals through their work and aspire to create a future where every person in their area has the confidence and support they need to live their lives fully.
Challenge
The charity set an ambitious goal: to increase its support base from 200,000 people in 2018 to 500,000 by 2024.
To achieve this, they launched several projects, the most significant of which focused on developing their ERP system to manage all operations.
The Application Development Team (ADT) had adopted agile methodologies but was still navigating the complexities of this approach. The slow velocity was impacting the timelines of their key project and their ability to meet its strategic goals. Recognising the need for expert guidance, they turned to Kerv Consult.
Solution
We undertook a comprehensive assessment of both the agile methodologies in use and the relationship between the ADT, the projects, portfolio, and business.
This assessment was conducted by two part-time consultants, who focused on understanding the problem, identifying issues, and recommending solutions, while also achieving quick wins along the way. One consultant focused on the team and delivery, while the other examined the wider organisational context.
After agreeing on a way forward, we were provided with an interview schedule, reading materials on the ways of working, access to the system and tools used by the charity for delivery management, and invitations to various team ceremonies. This preparation allowed the team to hit the ground running. The recommendations included restructuring the team, simplifying the workflow, estimation and capacity modelling, removing unprioritised work from the backlog, and refining incident management and release management processes.
Additionally, we provided guidance on incorporating agile planning into their more linear project and portfolio planning activity, enabling more accurate scheduling and costing of projects.
“The benefit from this extra spend has already been delivered; the fact that it also provides longer term sustainable benefit makes it a no brainer! This is going to be the best extra budget I have spent this year!”
Result
The first noticeable outcome was the transformation of the team from a defensive, disjointed unit to a re-energised, motivated, and collaborative group. Despite spending less time in meetings, the team’s effectiveness improved, saving as much as 40 hours a week in meetings, which increased output.
The most significant metric was a fourfold increase in velocity during the first month due to the changes implemented by us, even though the team was still involved in designing and implementing the changes during this time.
This case study is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value and transforming the way organisations work. We are honoured to have been a part of the charity’s journey towards achieving their ambitious goals. Our engagement with this charity demonstrates our ability to understand the unique challenges faced by our clients and to provide tailored solutions that drive real change.
We believe that our approach, which combines a deep understanding of agile methodologies with a commitment to collaboration and trust-building, can help organisations of all sizes and across all sectors to achieve their strategic goals. We look forward to continuing to support this charity and other organisations on their journey towards greater agility and effectiveness.
Featured insights
Other case studies you may want to read
Speak our experts!
Give us a few details and we’ll get right back to you.
"*" indicates required fields
Case Study
Project & Portfolio Consultancy: Unblocking Agile Delivery in the Third Sector
Company
Anonymised
Industry
Nonprofit (Charity)
Project Type
Project, Programme & Delivery Consultancy
Please note: This project was completed by WORTH, which later rebranded as Kerv Digital upon joining Kerv Group.
Overview
A UK-based charity teams up with Kerv Consult to increase the velocity of their agile teams
This case study reflects on our journey with a UK-based charity, a respected organisation dedicated to the service they provide across the country.
They have significantly improved the lives of 36,000 individuals through their work and aspire to create a future where every person in their area has the confidence and support they need to live their lives fully.
Challenge
The charity set an ambitious goal: to increase its support base from 200,000 people in 2018 to 500,000 by 2024.
To achieve this, they launched several projects, the most significant of which focused on developing their ERP system to manage all operations.
The Application Development Team (ADT) had adopted agile methodologies but was still navigating the complexities of this approach. The slow velocity was impacting the timelines of their key project and their ability to meet its strategic goals. Recognising the need for expert guidance, they turned to Kerv Consult.
Solution
We undertook a comprehensive assessment of both the agile methodologies in use and the relationship between the ADT, the projects, portfolio, and business.
This assessment was conducted by two part-time consultants, who focused on understanding the problem, identifying issues, and recommending solutions, while also achieving quick wins along the way. One consultant focused on the team and delivery, while the other examined the wider organisational context.
After agreeing on a way forward, we were provided with an interview schedule, reading materials on the ways of working, access to the system and tools used by the charity for delivery management, and invitations to various team ceremonies. This preparation allowed the team to hit the ground running. The recommendations included restructuring the team, simplifying the workflow, estimation and capacity modelling, removing unprioritised work from the backlog, and refining incident management and release management processes.
Additionally, we provided guidance on incorporating agile planning into their more linear project and portfolio planning activity, enabling more accurate scheduling and costing of projects.
“We’ve seen a huge internal impact, and we feel confident that it’s the right way of working. We have created a culture of change and have pivoted the way we create a product. We’ve learnt a lot about designing a product with a customer, rather than for a customer.”
Result
The first noticeable outcome was the transformation of the team from a defensive, disjointed unit to a re-energised, motivated, and collaborative group. Despite spending less time in meetings, the team’s effectiveness improved, saving as much as 40 hours a week in meetings, which increased output.
The most significant metric was a fourfold increase in velocity during the first month due to the changes implemented by us, even though the team was still involved in designing and implementing the changes during this time.
This case study is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value and transforming the way organisations work. We are honoured to have been a part of the charity’s journey towards achieving their ambitious goals. Our engagement with this charity demonstrates our ability to understand the unique challenges faced by our clients and to provide tailored solutions that drive real change.
We believe that our approach, which combines a deep understanding of agile methodologies with a commitment to collaboration and trust-building, can help organisations of all sizes and across all sectors to achieve their strategic goals. We look forward to continuing to support this charity and other organisations on their journey towards greater agility and effectiveness.
Featured insights
Other case studies you may want to read
Speak our experts!
Give us a few details and we’ll get right back to you.
"*" indicates required fields
Case Study
Project & Portfolio Consultancy: Unblocking Agile Delivery in the Third Sector
Company
Anonymised
Industry
Nonprofit (Charity)
Project Type
Project, Programme & Delivery Consultancy
Please note: This project was completed by WORTH, which later rebranded as Kerv Digital upon joining Kerv Group.
Overview
A UK-based charity teams up with Kerv Consult to increase the velocity of their agile teams
This case study reflects on our journey with a UK-based charity, a respected organisation dedicated to the service they provide across the country.
They have significantly improved the lives of 36,000 individuals through their work and aspire to create a future where every person in their area has the confidence and support they need to live their lives fully.
Challenge
The charity set an ambitious goal: to increase its support base from 200,000 people in 2018 to 500,000 by 2024.
To achieve this, they launched several projects, the most significant of which focused on developing their ERP system to manage all operations.
The Application Development Team (ADT) had adopted agile methodologies but was still navigating the complexities of this approach. The slow velocity was impacting the timelines of their key project and their ability to meet its strategic goals. Recognising the need for expert guidance, they turned to Kerv Consult.
Solution
We undertook a comprehensive assessment of both the agile methodologies in use and the relationship between the ADT, the projects, portfolio, and business.
This assessment was conducted by two part-time consultants, who focused on understanding the problem, identifying issues, and recommending solutions, while also achieving quick wins along the way. One consultant focused on the team and delivery, while the other examined the wider organisational context.
After agreeing on a way forward, we were provided with an interview schedule, reading materials on the ways of working, access to the system and tools used by the charity for delivery management, and invitations to various team ceremonies. This preparation allowed the team to hit the ground running. The recommendations included restructuring the team, simplifying the workflow, estimation and capacity modelling, removing unprioritised work from the backlog, and refining incident management and release management processes.
Additionally, we provided guidance on incorporating agile planning into their more linear project and portfolio planning activity, enabling more accurate scheduling and costing of projects.
“We have enjoyed working with such knowledgeable and professional staff in a truly agile fashion to complete the technical development in such tight and challenging timescales.”
Result
The first noticeable outcome was the transformation of the team from a defensive, disjointed unit to a re-energised, motivated, and collaborative group. Despite spending less time in meetings, the team’s effectiveness improved, saving as much as 40 hours a week in meetings, which increased output.
The most significant metric was a fourfold increase in velocity during the first month due to the changes implemented by us, even though the team was still involved in designing and implementing the changes during this time.
This case study is a reflection of our commitment to delivering value and transforming the way organisations work. We are honoured to have been a part of the charity’s journey towards achieving their ambitious goals. Our engagement with this charity demonstrates our ability to understand the unique challenges faced by our clients and to provide tailored solutions that drive real change.
We believe that our approach, which combines a deep understanding of agile methodologies with a commitment to collaboration and trust-building, can help organisations of all sizes and across all sectors to achieve their strategic goals. We look forward to continuing to support this charity and other organisations on their journey towards greater agility and effectiveness.
Featured insights
Other case studies you may want to read
Speak our experts!
Give us a few details and we’ll get right back to you.
"*" indicates required fields
Ebook
Guide to optimising your Azure cloud environment
Maximising the performance of your Azure cloud environment
Many businesses have been working hard to shift their operations to the cloud in recent years, whether to better enable remote working or to modernise ageing infrastructure. Getting your organisation’s technology into the cloud is no mean feat, so it’s easy to fixate on that milestone, and leave the question of “what happens next?” for another day.
There are lots of practical steps your business can take to optimise your Azure cloud environment, whether you need to reduce costs, improve security or boost performance.
In this e-book, we’ll talk you through some of the approaches our Solutions Architects use to help our clients, including:
- Making the most of your licencing
- Getting on top of cloud spend
- Right-sizing storage
- Developing a cloud security strategy
- And more…
Download now
"*" indicates required fields
Checklist
IT Health Check Planner
A complimentary checklist to help keep your IT environment in shipshape.
While your current IT strategy may seem to be functioning well, it’s essential to avoid complacency. Digital transformation is an ongoing journey, and without periodic strategy assessments, opportunities for improvement can turn into persistent technical issues or missed chances for growth.
Rather than becoming too comfortable with your existing IT strategy, we recommend adopting a structured approach to routinely review and enhance it. You can achieve this by using our IT health check planner.
We’ve developed a straightforward checklist for conducting regular IT strategy evaluations, including tasks to be completed on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis.
Download now
"*" indicates required fields
