Events
Agile: New Efficiency
and Flexibility Epoch
and Flexibility Epoch
From July 15 to 18, the Beko plant held an "Agile" methodology implementation training, organized for the R&D team.
A similar training took place in Lipetsk for the IHP R&D team from July 23 to 26. The event became a part of the global transformation process of R&D teams within the Arçelik Group, which began in 2019 in Turkey and is now spreading to factories in other countries. During the trainings, the participants observed new methodology and began to apply new knowledge in order to realise different projects: they prepared a project backlog (a list of tasks depending on priority degree priority) as well as the first sprint plan.
Agile is based on 4 fundamental principles:
- 1People and interaction processes are more important than processes and tools.
- 2Cooperation with the customer is more important than agreement on the contract terms
- 3A viable product is more important than comprehensive documentation.
- 4Readiness for change is more important than following an inıtial plan.
New mindset
Agile is a project management methodology, philosophy and mindset that may be associated with such definitions as “flexibility” and “dynamic”.
One of the key aspects of Agile is the creation of cross-functional teams that work independently, making decisions without waiting for manager's , approval and thus increasing work speed and adaptability.
One of the Agile basic instruments Scrum is aimed to split-off a complicated challenge into separate subtasks limited to convenient planning periods of time (usually from one to four weeks). They are defined as sprints. At the start of each sprint, the team prepares an agenda and each day holds a brief stand-up meeting in order to evaluate the progress and keep staying synchronized. In addition sprint reviews and retrospectives are also arranged, providing an opportunity to prompt adjust the full process promptly. During a sprint, a team must complete a specified scope of work and present the product or result planned.
Agile introduction ıs associated wıth significant changes in the plant's corporate culture, increased work efficiency and advanced project management. It require time and effort, but the results are worth such expenses.
Agile is a project management methodology, philosophy and mindset that may be associated with such definitions as “flexibility” and “dynamic”.
One of the key aspects of Agile is the creation of cross-functional teams that work independently, making decisions without waiting for manager's , approval and thus increasing work speed and adaptability.
One of the Agile basic instruments Scrum is aimed to split-off a complicated challenge into separate subtasks limited to convenient planning periods of time (usually from one to four weeks). They are defined as sprints. At the start of each sprint, the team prepares an agenda and each day holds a brief stand-up meeting in order to evaluate the progress and keep staying synchronized. In addition sprint reviews and retrospectives are also arranged, providing an opportunity to prompt adjust the full process promptly. During a sprint, a team must complete a specified scope of work and present the product or result planned.
Agile introduction ıs associated wıth significant changes in the plant's corporate culture, increased work efficiency and advanced project management. It require time and effort, but the results are worth such expenses.
“Experience is available– so thare nothing impossible!”
Bilgin Hacioglu,
leader of the R&D tribe Beko and IHP:
– Now Agile is a global trend that has long gone beyond the IT industry, and we and today we can see its widespread development. In our company, we started with a research and development (R&D) department in Turkey and then expanded to other areas. The results are really impressive. According to research, Agile increases speed and productivity by at least 20% . We did not make such measurements, but the methodology has obviously positive impact on the result.
At our facilities in Kirzhach and Lipetsk, we launched the first post-training sprint for R&D teams. And although this is just the beginning, I believe that cultural transformation wıll proceed step by step. It will take at least six months, I suppose – production specifics has some certain inertia.
We provide our employees with a vision, purpose and methodology to achieve this goal. It will take time, but we believe in success!
Bilgin Hacioglu,
leader of the R&D tribe Beko and IHP:
– Now Agile is a global trend that has long gone beyond the IT industry, and we and today we can see its widespread development. In our company, we started with a research and development (R&D) department in Turkey and then expanded to other areas. The results are really impressive. According to research, Agile increases speed and productivity by at least 20% . We did not make such measurements, but the methodology has obviously positive impact on the result.
At our facilities in Kirzhach and Lipetsk, we launched the first post-training sprint for R&D teams. And although this is just the beginning, I believe that cultural transformation wıll proceed step by step. It will take at least six months, I suppose – production specifics has some certain inertia.
We provide our employees with a vision, purpose and methodology to achieve this goal. It will take time, but we believe in success!
The first sprint was already started
The training took four days and included two stages: two days for the washing machine team and two days for the refrigerator team. On the first day, participants were introduced to the Agile and Scrum principles, including philosophy, experiences of other companies, project cycle, events, artifacts and roles in Scrum. On the second day, the team created a product backlog and prepared sprints.
During the training, such new roles as the product owner and scrum masters were introduced. They will replace traditional leading roles in the organizational structure. The Product Owner is responsible for understanding and control of all product aspects, and the Scrum Master facilitates the team to work and communicate effectively in accordance with the Scrum methodology. These functions were taken over by the general R&D staff of Beko and IHP. Thus, four teams, which in Agile are called “squads”, were formed.
Beko REF Implementation Squad – Ivan Ermilov (product owner) and Anton Gamayunov (scrum master);
Beko WM Implementation Squad – Elena Almaeva (product owner) and Mikhail Denisov (scrum master);
IHP REF Implementation Squad – Elena Almayeva (product owner) and Mikhail Denisov (scrum master);
HP WM Implementation Squad – Sergey Tatarinov (product owner) and Maxim Ivannikov (scrum master)
The training took four days and included two stages: two days for the washing machine team and two days for the refrigerator team. On the first day, participants were introduced to the Agile and Scrum principles, including philosophy, experiences of other companies, project cycle, events, artifacts and roles in Scrum. On the second day, the team created a product backlog and prepared sprints.
During the training, such new roles as the product owner and scrum masters were introduced. They will replace traditional leading roles in the organizational structure. The Product Owner is responsible for understanding and control of all product aspects, and the Scrum Master facilitates the team to work and communicate effectively in accordance with the Scrum methodology. These functions were taken over by the general R&D staff of Beko and IHP. Thus, four teams, which in Agile are called “squads”, were formed.
Beko REF Implementation Squad – Ivan Ermilov (product owner) and Anton Gamayunov (scrum master);
Beko WM Implementation Squad – Elena Almaeva (product owner) and Mikhail Denisov (scrum master);
IHP REF Implementation Squad – Elena Almayeva (product owner) and Mikhail Denisov (scrum master);
HP WM Implementation Squad – Sergey Tatarinov (product owner) and Maxim Ivannikov (scrum master)
Mikhail Denisov,
Lead Design Engineer
– My role is scrum master. This is my first encounter with Agile. The system appears to be sound and promising. In addition, it has already been implemented and is operating in other offices of the company, so I hope that we will succeed as well. It's very interesting to try yourself in a new capacity. Although I can only imagine this function in general, I am confident that our team will cope with this and over time we will be able to implement Agile into everyday practice. Although I can only imagine this function in a very general form, I am confident that our team will cope with this and over time we will be able to implement Agile into everyday practice.
Lead Design Engineer
– My role is scrum master. This is my first encounter with Agile. The system appears to be sound and promising. In addition, it has already been implemented and is operating in other offices of the company, so I hope that we will succeed as well. It's very interesting to try yourself in a new capacity. Although I can only imagine this function in general, I am confident that our team will cope with this and over time we will be able to implement Agile into everyday practice. Although I can only imagine this function in a very general form, I am confident that our team will cope with this and over time we will be able to implement Agile into everyday practice.
Elena Almaeva,
design technician:
– I am the product owner. Our team and me are currently adapting to the new system. At the moment, we have defined goals for the next two sprints. Right now, in my opinion, the main challenge is understanding how to set short goals, for one sprint for every two weeks, because we usually implement large scale projects. I have a pretty good ideahow it works in IT, but cannot prescribe exactlyyet – how it will contribute in the development of household appliances. But the more difficult the task, the more interesting to solve it!
design technician:
– I am the product owner. Our team and me are currently adapting to the new system. At the moment, we have defined goals for the next two sprints. Right now, in my opinion, the main challenge is understanding how to set short goals, for one sprint for every two weeks, because we usually implement large scale projects. I have a pretty good ideahow it works in IT, but cannot prescribe exactlyyet – how it will contribute in the development of household appliances. But the more difficult the task, the more interesting to solve it!
Agile requires to change the process completely
Ilya Pavlichenko,
Flexible methodology implementation expert:
– Agile appears to be the most effective instrument when changes can be made quickly. For example, in the field of software development. In the material world this may seem more difficult task. However, Agile undergoes adaptation in the production processes rather good.
The main challenge in learning and implementing Agile methods is in creating self-managing cross-functional teams. In order to make them work successfully, it is necessary to revise the organizational design and create conditions for self-management as well. And it is important to involve entire organization, including top managers, in this transformation process. My experience confirms that teams can adapt to new methodologies within 1-3 months. My colleagues really want to use the new system in their work, and I think we have great teams. The audience actively mastered the information andadapted to new approaches rather quickly. It is encouraging. I am very glad to see how participants getting involved in the process and start thinking in new way. This is very valuable and motivates us to continue our work.
Ilya Pavlichenko,
Flexible methodology implementation expert:
– Agile appears to be the most effective instrument when changes can be made quickly. For example, in the field of software development. In the material world this may seem more difficult task. However, Agile undergoes adaptation in the production processes rather good.
The main challenge in learning and implementing Agile methods is in creating self-managing cross-functional teams. In order to make them work successfully, it is necessary to revise the organizational design and create conditions for self-management as well. And it is important to involve entire organization, including top managers, in this transformation process. My experience confirms that teams can adapt to new methodologies within 1-3 months. My colleagues really want to use the new system in their work, and I think we have great teams. The audience actively mastered the information andadapted to new approaches rather quickly. It is encouraging. I am very glad to see how participants getting involved in the process and start thinking in new way. This is very valuable and motivates us to continue our work.
Anton Gamayunov,
design engineer:
– My role is scrum master. Due to this training, I learned Agile mechanism in detail for the first time, practiced in setting goals, and wrote my first backlog. Before that, I knew in general that such development method exists and that it is actively used in IT technologies, design and banking sectorы. production, of course, need some adaptations, but in general, I suppose, that this method is very promising. We have now started the first sprint. It is intended to reduce the noise level of refrigerators. The roles of the team members have already been defined and we are ready to start.
design engineer:
– My role is scrum master. Due to this training, I learned Agile mechanism in detail for the first time, practiced in setting goals, and wrote my first backlog. Before that, I knew in general that such development method exists and that it is actively used in IT technologies, design and banking sectorы. production, of course, need some adaptations, but in general, I suppose, that this method is very promising. We have now started the first sprint. It is intended to reduce the noise level of refrigerators. The roles of the team members have already been defined and we are ready to start.
Ivan Ermilov,
Design Engineer;
– In the current project launch I act as the product owner. And this is my first experience with Agile, like for many others. We are now entering the first sprint exploring the methodology in detail at the same time. All tasks for the next two weeks are recorded in the backlog, and we will keep control the process implementation and adjust plans as necessary. I look forward to getting started with interest.
Design Engineer;
– In the current project launch I act as the product owner. And this is my first experience with Agile, like for many others. We are now entering the first sprint exploring the methodology in detail at the same time. All tasks for the next two weeks are recorded in the backlog, and we will keep control the process implementation and adjust plans as necessary. I look forward to getting started with interest.
“
The trainings, which were organised in July 2024, represented the first step towards complete integration of Agile into the plants’ operations. In the future, we plan to expand the methodology implementation in all company departments, in order to facilitate renovation of development and production processes. Implementing Agile in the enterprise means not only mastering new useful practices and more effective tools, but the development of the modern culture and new approach to work.
© Beko 2023