Merck China started their Agile journey at November 2023. After just 1 year, they have achieved significant progress, some samples below:
Certification of Junior Agile Coaches: The company has successfully trained and certified 34 employees as Junior Agile Coaches under Merck’s internal Agile certification program. This certification reflects a foundational understanding and skillset in Agile principles, enabling these employees to implement Agile practices within their respective teams. With a growing pool of certified coaches, the organization is fostering a culture that promotes continuous improvement, collaboration, and adaptability across departments. This development not only empowers individuals but also strengthens the organization’s capacity for sustainable Agile transformation.
Agile Project Management Handbook: To make Agile methods accessible to more employees, the company has introduced a practical handbook, version 1.0, specifically designed for Agile project management. This handbook serves as a guide, outlining key principles and practices for initiating and managing projects using Agile frameworks. By standardizing Agile practices, the handbook enables employees to easily apply Agile principles, regardless of their level of prior experience. As a resource, it helps teams align on Agile methodologies, improving project efficiency and fostering a more collaborative work environment.
Innovation Fund for Agile-Driven Projects: To drive a culture of innovation, the company has implemented an Innovation Fund to support Agile-based projects. This fund encourages employees to explore new ideas and experiment with Agile methodologies in a low-risk, supportive environment. Each project funded through this initiative is eligible for year-end awards, such as the Best Innovation Award and the Best Trial & Error Award. These awards recognize creative and pioneering efforts, celebrating both successful innovations and valuable learning from failures, thereby promoting an open, experimental approach to problem-solving.
Implementation of Agile Projects Across Multiple Levels: The company currently has a robust portfolio of Agile projects, spanning various organizational levels. This includes 7 strategic-level Agile projects that align with the company’s broader vision, 9 Innovation Fund-backed Agile projects focused on pioneering new ideas, and 12 department-level Agile projects tailored to specific team needs. Each project has seen tangible benefits from the application of Agile methodologies, such as enhanced adaptability, shorter project cycles, and improved cross-functional collaboration, demonstrating the scalability and impact of Agile across the organization.
Recognition of Agile Pioneers and Best Agile Projects: To reinforce the positive impact of Agile adoption, the company has celebrated 5 employees as Agile pioneers and recognized 3 projects as Best Agile Projects. The Agile pioneers are individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to Agile principles, serving as role models and inspiring others to embrace Agile practices. The Best Agile Projects, on the other hand, highlight team efforts that have effectively leveraged Agile methodologies to achieve notable outcomes. This recognition not only motivates others but also establishes a culture that values and rewards Agile excellence.