The concept of agile HR is based on the popular concept of agile software development, the programming methodology which is aimed at rapid delivery of high-quality products while maintaining a big room for flexibility and adaptability of the development process. In short, it is a way to develop a system as quickly as possible, forward it to its customer and subsequently adjust based on his feedback.
Agile methods managed to significantly reduce the bureaucracy traditionally associated with software development projects mainly due to frequent (often daily) meetings of interested parties to make quick adjustments without having to strictly adhere to processes, documentation and planning. The four main principles of agile development include adaptability, transparency, simplicity and unity. Is the opposite of the traditional "waterfall" method which sets out five successive stages of software development - requirements gathering, design, implementation/programming, testing and maintenance.
What does this have to do with HR? The above mentioned four values of agile development can be easily applied in human resources to achieve higher levels of HR services delivery, the Canadian HR Reporter informed.
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Adaptability is important in face of the constant changes in business needs.
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Simplicity is important in the development of HR programs and practices not to confus and discourage managers and employees.
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Unity is important for cooperation of HR with other stakeholders and their business needs.
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Transparency is important to gain the confidence of managers and employees to explain the reasons why certain things have to be done in a certain way.
The agile management model involves feedback to projects so that changes can be made as soon as possible in the process. From the perspective of HR, it means an early and close cooperation with other project participants. It is, however, not the opposite of strategic HR as it might seem. Even strategic HR needs to respond to current conditions through its approaches to managing the workforce.
To learn more about the concept of agile development, start with the Agile Software Development Manifesto that stood at the beginning of this methodology.
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