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ASB adopts Agile to keep one step ahead

ASB constantly strives to get the best value from their IT projects. They were attracted by the simplicity and power of Agile realising that the core Agile values of openness, trust, honesty, courage and value were in line with their own. ASB became the first New Zealand company to implement Agile project management company-wide - and they have never looked back.

"Agile has been a great change agent for us over the past 12 months. It has brought project managers closer to their business sponsors, and has paved the way for a more effective model of project ownership. Quite simply, this is now the way that we do projects." - Derek Redman - Acting Group Manager Programmes, ASB 

Client

ASB is one of New Zealand’s leading financial services providers. The ASB Group employs more than 6000 people.

ASB has a commitment to deliver simple financial management tools to their customers through the use of user-friendly technology.

Challenge

  • ASB used traditional project management practices that provided a solid foundation for their projects. But, like all users of IT services, ASB was challenged to get the best value out of its IT.
  • A need was identified for greater transparency between the project manager and the project sponsor, ASB turned to Fronde – Agile project management specialists – to help them find opportunities in this area.

Solution

  • A single group-wide Programme Office was established for ASB.
  • As part of transition to the new structure, Fronde lead the rollout of the Agile project management framework, the emphasis on stronger project sponsorship, and the empowerment of the project management community. Fronde provided the knowledge, resource and capability to implement this change.
  • The successful implementation of Agile project management involved a subtle mix of values, method and experience and, more importantly, a culture change for both project managers and project sponsors. A successful move into an Agile culture required commitment to on-going support and mentoring for ASB project managers and project sponsors.

Business benefits

The implementation of Agile project management, coupled with the re-positioning of their Group Project Office (GPO) within the organisation, has helped the GPO provide information that is critical to the selection of high-value projects and the prioritisation of projects, both of which are sound investment decisions for ASB.

With Agile project management, due to its highly collaborative nature, it now takes ASB half the time it previously did to sign off a business case.

The GPO is now seen as an enabler and support mechanism to the project managers, rather than serving as a ‘policing function.’ ASB and Fronde have joined forces to establish the Agile Professionals Network, which is committed to helping New Zealand businesses maximise their return on IT investments through practical use of Agile practices.

To read full detail, download the PDF brochure (38kb).