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The industry has been facing an increasingly complex and accelerated scenario, driven by constant changes in the market and technological advances.
To keep up with this pace, companies are looking for more efficient and flexible ways to manage their projects and processes.
It is in this context that agile methodologies, initially known for their use in software development, are beginning to gain ground.
Bringing agile to this sector means working in a more dynamic way, with short execution cycles, a focus on collaboration between different areas and the ability to adapt quickly to changes, always with the goal of generating value continuously.
In this article, you will understand what agile methodology is, what are the main approaches used in this model and how they can be adapted to the industrial reality.
In addition, valuable tips will be presented for implementing agility in your company’s operations efficiently.
Continue reading to find out how to implement it in your company!
What is Agile Methodology and How Does It Work in Industry?
Agile methodology is a set of practices that aim to make processes more flexible, focusing on fast, continuous and quality deliveries.
This model is based on the idea of constant inspection and frequent adaptation.
The agile methodology originated from the 2001 Agile Manifesto, which is a document created by a group of developers in the United States who were tired of bureaucratic methods.
This document serves as a global reference to this day.
It contains 12 principles that guide teamwork, value delivery and continuous communication. These are:
- Customer satisfaction through continuous and fast delivery;
- Changes at any stage of the project, aiming at competitive advantages;
- Delivering the product or service in the shortest possible time;
- Daily and continuous collaboration;
- Employee motivation and autonomy;
- Face-to-face conversations to transmit information without noise;
- Results that work;
- Constant and balanced rhythm, promoting sustainable development;
- Technical excellence and good design to increase agility;
- Simplicity is essential;
- Self-organizing teams that have freedom;
- Regular self-assessment to reflect on the way they work.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE AGILE METHODOLOGY FOR INDUSTRIES?
Although the agile methodology emerged in the technology sector, the approach has gained strength in industries, where the need for rapid innovation, waste reduction and greater adaptability are increasingly urgent.
By adopting agile practices, industries can organize projects and processes into smaller, continuous parts that facilitate rapid adjustment to changes and unforeseen events.
Nelson Simões, Head of BPO, Tech. & Dev. from Vockan, states that “agile methodologies have several characteristics that benefit the industrial vertical, but one of the main ones is the high frequency of team communication and inspection of ongoing tasks, allowing immediate adjustments to problems that can compromise production lines, the functioning of critical systems and relationship flows with customers and suppliers”.
A practical example of the application of the agile methodology in the industry is Grupo Boticário. According to an article published by Exame, the company adopted agile practices to significantly transform its industrial operation, the way it relates to suppliers and the process of developing new products.
Check out the main benefits that industries can have through the agile methodology below:
Focus on continuous improvement
Stimulates a culture of constant inspection and adaptation, that is, it seeks ways to do better, with fewer resources, more quickly and with more quality.
Quick adaptation to changes
In the industry, factors such as market demands, fluctuations in the supply chain or customer demands can change quickly.
The methodology allows for quick and organized responses, avoiding delays and losses.
Reduction of waste and rework
Since projects are divided into smaller stages, it is possible to test, review and adjust more frequently, avoiding errors that would only be discovered at the end.
More visual and results-oriented management
With the use of agile tools, tasks become more visible and organized.
This makes it easier to monitor deadlines, bottlenecks and responsibilities, improving management and decision-making.
Strengthening teamwork
The agile methodology promotes constant communication between team members, in addition to encouraging collaboration between various sectors of the company, improving the organizational climate and productivity.
Read also: What is Line Haul and How to Optimize Your Industrial Logistics
Where to Apply Agile Methodology in Industry?
The agile methodology can be applied in several areas of the industry, as long as the focus is collaboration, continuous delivery, rapid learning and constant adaptation.
See the table below to understand how the areas can benefit from the methodology:
| Area | Situation that can be used |
| Product development | Perform quick validations with the team; Adjust the project based on continuous feedback. |
| Manufacturing and Production | Implement process improvements in short cycles; Solve problems with multidisciplinary squads. |
| Maintenance | Organize preventive and corrective tasks with visual boards; Prioritize work orders with greater clarity and focus on impact. |
| Logistics and Supplies | Quickly replan routes or stocks as unforeseen events arise; Use visual dashboards and short cycles to monitor critical indicators. |
| TI | Rapid integration with different areas of the factory; Ability to prioritize functionalities based on the real impact on the operation. |
4 Types of Agile Methodologies and How to Use Them in Industry
Agile methodologies have been gaining ground as a way to make processes more flexible, collaborative and focused on results.
Unlike traditional models, which are more rigid and lengthy, agile proposes continuous deliveries, short cycles and constant adaptation.
This approach has been successfully used not only in administrative areas, but also on the factory floor, in maintenance and logistics, promoting productivity gains, waste reduction and greater alignment between teams.
Below, learn about the main agile methodologies that can be applied in industrial environments:
SCRUM: Organization of Production in Rapid Cycles (Sprints)
Scrum is ideal for industrial projects that require organization in stages and partial deliveries.
It divides work into short cycles called sprints, with clear goals for each cycle.
In industry, Scrum can be useful in engineering projects, new product development and process improvements.
It allows teams to learn from mistakes, quickly correct routes and move forward with more confidence.
KANBAN: Visual Management for Task Flow Control
Kanban is a visual methodology that helps organize, prioritize and monitor the progress of tasks in real time.
It uses boards with columns, making it easy to see bottlenecks or overloads, increasing productivity and reducing delays.
In industrial practice, Kanban can be applied in maintenance management (preventive and corrective), engineering task control, production planning and even in administrative sectors.
LEAN: Elimination of Waste and Lean Processes
Lean seeks to eliminate waste and focus on what really generates value.
Although it is not exclusively an agile methodology, it is the philosophical basis of many agile practices and they can be used together.
Lean is widely used in manufacturing, logistics and industrial process management.
It proposes analyzing each stage of the process and eliminating unnecessary things, such as waiting time, excess movement, rework or idle stock.
In addition to valuing continuous improvement (kaizen) and employee involvement in solutions.
To better understand this methodology, watch the video that explains how it came about and its characteristics.
SAFe: Agility at Scale for Large Organizations
The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is a model that organizes agile on a large scale, that is, when several teams work in an integrated manner on complex projects.
It helps to align the work of technical, operational and strategic teams, maintaining consistency and focus on business objectives.
In large industries, SAFe can be used in digital transformation programs, factory expansions, large-scale automation or implementation of systems such as ERP.
It is ideal when there are many teams involved and a need for central coordination.
Read also: Quality Management: How to Boost Results and Be More Competitive
7 TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTING AGILE METHODOLOGY IN INDUSTRY
Each agile methodology has its strengths, and they can even be combined depending on the type of project or industrial area.
The most important thing is to understand the company’s reality, the team’s goals and the value you want to deliver, and then adapt the methodology that best fits.
To help, we have prepared 7 tips on how your company can implement agile methodology in operations. Check them out below:
Start small and with a clear purpose
Don’t try to implement agile in the entire factory at once.
According to the Head of BPO, Tech. & Dev, “the best approach to implementing agile methodologies is through a small-scale project, lasting between 1 and 3 months, and a team of adequate size (up to 9 people, including a Product Owner). It is also possible to apply the model to part of an area operation”.
Adapt agile to the factory reality
Bring agile to industrial language, adapting ceremonies such as quick meetings, visual panels and short delivery cycles to the routine of the factory floor.
Use simple and visual tools
Start with Kanban boards or easy visual tools.
This helps everyone understand what is being done, what is stuck and what has already been completed.
Train employees
Train the team with the basic concepts of agile (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, etc.), but focus more on practice than theory.
Use simulations, dynamics and examples from the industry’s own day-to-day to facilitate absorption.
Keep leadership engaged and aligned
Leaders need to support the agile culture, not just approve it.
They should encourage team autonomy, accept changes along the way and recognize learning, even when the results are not immediate.
Establish short delivery and review cycles
Set short deadlines for delivering improvements, prototypes or results.
At the end of each cycle, gather the team to evaluate what worked, what can be improved and what the next steps are.
Celebrate small victories
Value and publicize progress.
Showing that agile is generating concrete results helps to break down resistance and inspire other teams to adopt the model.
WANT MORE AGILITY IN YOUR INDUSTRY’S PROCESSES?
Implementing agile methodologies in the industry goes beyond applying sprints or task boards — it requires a change in culture, a vision of processes and teams aligned with results.
That’s why Vockan developed BPO Agilista, a service that combines operational expertise with agile practices, bringing more efficiency, focus and adaptability to sectors such as planning, production control, quality, supply chain and much more.
With BPO Agilista, your company has:
- Multidisciplinary squads focused on goals and indicators;
- Short delivery cycles with continuous improvement;
- Greater visibility and collaboration between areas;
- Reduce rework, bottlenecks and operational waste.
Do you want to make your operation more agile, connected and prepared for the future?
Talk to our experts and find out how Vockan’s Agile BPO can accelerate your industry’s results.
