How Agile can transform manufacturing: the case of Wikispeed
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the views of the author, who has written extensively on the management tools needed for continuous innovation, and who believes that an Agile management process methodology that has revolutionized software development, has the potential to transform manufacturing.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper offers a glimpse of what Agile manufacturing will look like from the experience of Wikispeed, a California C‐Corporation that in three months developed a functional road‐safety‐legal automobile prototype able to travel 100 miles per gallon.
Findings
At Wikispeed as in Agile software development, work proceeds by trying to identify what customers want, defining those wants in terms of precisely articulated tests, prioritizing which tests are to be worked on, working in short cycles to deliver features or products that meet the tests, finding out from customers whether that's what they really want, and then continuing the cycle once again.
Research limitations/implications
The Wikispeed case is reported on.
Practical implications
In the Agile process, self‐organizing teams work in short cycles called “sprints” and develop the features and products in a series of projects or modules to facilitate rapid, customer‐valued innovation.
Originality/value
With Agile, the work of project teams enables a firm's product to continuously evolve in the light of the experience they gain and through customer feedback.
Keywords
- Radical transformation of manufacturing
- Auto manufacturing
- In‐shoring plans
- Radical management techniques
- Agile manufacturing
- Self‐organizing teams
- Rapid innovation
- Continuous product evolution
- Wikispeed
- Product owner role
- An Agile budget
- Customer‐visible value
- Manufacturing industries
- Manufacturing systems
Citation
Denning, S. (2012), "How Agile can transform manufacturing: the case of Wikispeed", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 40 No. 6, pp. 22-28. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878571211278859
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited