Separating Noise From Signal: What Is a True Agile Enterprise?

Separating Noise From Signal: What Is a True Agile Enterprise?

Abstract:
In a world awash with “agile” frameworks, tools, and transformation glitz, how do we distinguish the static from the signal?

Many organizations have fallen into the trap of broad-and-shallow “let’s-do-agile” initiatives - big-bang installs of frameworks, endless tool roll-outs, and enthusiasm driven by consultants rather than outcomes.

In this presentation, Gene Gendel will pull back the curtain on what a true agile enterprise looks like - and what it doesn’t. We’ll call into question some of the most celebrated claims:

• “We’re agile because we use a scaling agile framework.”
• “We’ve got an enterprise-wide product-catalog so we’re product-centered.”
• “We measure enterprise velocity and we’re improving.”
• "We are on the enterprise-wide sprint cadence"
• "We have met our year-end goal to move everyone to an enterprise subscription of Jira/Rally/Azure/etc."

Then we’ll flip the lens to several harder questions:

• What happens when the budget remains fixed, the structure remains top-down, and the roles simply map old titles onto new names?
• How do you measure agility when metrics focus on outputs not outcomes?
• Why do you still see “power towers” of mid-management and command-and-control in the name of transformation?

You’ll leave this session with:

• A clearer definition of enterprise agility that moves beyond buzzwords and tools.
• A framework for spotting the noise—the superficial gestures, framework theatrics, and tool-driven mimicry.
• A way to identify the signal—the systemic, structural changes, outcomes-oriented measurement, and product-centric operating model that actually drive agility at scale.
• A challenge to hold your own organization accountable: are you really changing, or just dressing up old habits with new terms?

Join Gene Gendel as we separate noise from signal, call out what real agility demands, and set the stage for an enterprise that isn’t just “doing agile” — it is agile.

Our Speaker:

Gene Gendel is the Chief Product Owner and co-founder of KSTS Consulting. Gene is a system thinker, organizational design consultant, adaptive & lean coach and trainer, and independent adviser to senior leadership. Gene is a widely recognized, world-class trainer/instructor, and is mainly focused on organizational design and product centricity, the experience for which he has gained, over the decades of deeply embedded coaching and consulting. Gene’s clients represent a wide industry spectrum.

Almost 15 of 20+ years of his professional experience Gene has dedicated to working with companies of various sizes and lines of business, trying to help them improve internal dynamics, organizational structure and becoming a better place for people to work in.

In his work, Gene uses various methods, tools and techniques to amplify learning of other people and to ensure that his followers gain autonomy after Gene “coaches himself out of the job”. Over the last decade, Gene’s big focus has been on large financial institutions and consulting companies that struggle with moving away, from traditional budgets and portfolio/program/project work decomposition, towards more adaptive/flexible budgeting and clearly defined products (product-centric, customer-focused development).

Gene’s, highly in-demand, LeSS classes and product discovery & definition workshops, both private and public, are based on intuitive system modelling and rich eco-systemic perspective that includes intra-organizational dynamics and market realities. Gene is one of very few people who has been honored the status of Certified Enterprise Coach (CEC) – EMERITUS – something that is earned after 10 years of having CEC. Gene is also one of the co-creators and holders of Certified Team Coach (CTC).

Since 2015, Gene has built the largest, fastest growing and most active global communities: Lean, Agile and Large-Scale Product Development and Product Management & Product Ownership., totaling close to 10,000 members, from around the world.

Gene is also a frequent presenter and panelist, publicly and privately, with a very diverse gamut of engaging topics.