Operating under strict hierarchical structures creates inequalities and hinders opportunities for collaborative work experiences. In contrast, working in an agile environment creates a free flow of information and rewards people for skills and abilities, not position.
In staff engagement surveys, staff raised concerns that innovation and agility skills were not developed, implemented, or sufficiently supported in the UN. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to fast-track agile ways of working.
#NewWork, a staff-driven network driving workplace culture change, seized the opportunity to conduct a pilot in collaboration with the University of Geneva and InsightPact to help UN teams adopt agile. The pilot introduced agile collaboration techniques to rejuvenate and enhance how we work in the UN.
Working with agile methods helps teams adapt their ways of working to ever-changing constraints and requirements. Agile empowers teams and individuals to choose the best methods in an adaptive way.
The University of Geneva observed and evaluated the entire pilot and followed up with participants through post-pilot surveys and interviews. The scope of their findings covered key lessons, opportunities, and barriers to further implement agile methods and the potential for scaling agile in the UN.
"There is clear evidence that the UN is ready to embrace agile work," says Professor Tina Ambos. "Now, scaling the learning from this pilot will require three factors-- resources, including time and additional training; senior leadership support; and a new organizational culture which rewards collective and team progress."
Four teams with different functions participated in the pilot (ESCAP, UNDSS, UNOG, and DMSPC). It started with an introduction to modern agile and the agile mindset. Participants learned about how agile tools affect team interaction and effectiveness. Between learning sessions, teams had time to practice applying the new tools and explore the agile mindset.
The UNDSS team was enthusiastic about the methods they learned and proved agile works even in more traditional, hierarchical structures. Based on the success of the pilot, senior management in UNDSS has decided to expand agile across the department.
The global #NewWork team also underwent a train-the-trainer programme to deliver agile teams training workshops across the UN.
