Case Study

Agile Transformation in Pharmaceutical Company

The adoption of Agile methodologies has gained momentum across various industries due to its flexibility, adaptability, and ability to improve project outcomes.

This case focuses on a prominent global pharmaceutical company that decided to implement Agile methods for a significant portion of their internally developed IT projects. To test this new approach, they selected an iPhone app aimed at providing healthcare advice to pregnant women. Our company was engaged to supply an Agile coach to support the project team consisting of the marketing department and an IT service provider. Our project methodology follows:

  1. Project Kickoff and Planning
    Our Agile coach designed a comprehensive project kickoff meeting, bringing together the marketing team and the IT developers for a day of knowledge sharing and collaborative planning. This face-to-face session allowed both sides to align their understanding of the project and establish effective communication channels. Additionally, the meeting focused on educating the team members about Agile principles and practices to ensure a shared understanding of how to work together on an Agile project.
  2. Backlog Development and Prioritization
    Following the kickoff meeting, a full day was dedicated to building the project backlog and prioritizing the backlog items in preparation for the first sprint. This exercise involved engaging both the marketing and IT teams to identify the necessary features, functionalities, and content required for the pregnancy healthcare app. The Agile coach facilitated the process to ensure that all stakeholders had a voice in shaping the backlog and to encourage collaboration and transparency.
  3. Sprint Execution
    Once the first sprint backlog was defined and agreed upon, the project officially commenced. The technical work progressed smoothly with regular online meetings facilitated by the Agile coach. The Agile framework allowed for continuous feedback loops, enabling iterative development, testing, and refinement of the app. The marketing team provided valuable insights into user requirements and preferences, while the IT service provider ensured the technical implementation aligned with industry best practices.
  4. Sprint Reviews and Key Events
    Throughout the project, the Agile coach played a crucial role in facilitating Sprint reviews and other key events. These events allowed the project team to inspect and adapt their progress, celebrate achievements, and identify areas for improvement. The Agile coach encouraged open and honest communication, ensuring that feedback was shared constructively, and action items were defined for subsequent sprints.
  5. App Release and User Engagement
    After completing the necessary internal legal checks, the pregnancy healthcare app was released and uploaded to the app store. As expected, the app gained popularity among users, establishing a direct connection between the company and its clients. Beyond providing healthcare advice, the app served as a platform to introduce the company’s specialized maternity care dietary supplements and other over-the-counter products. This secondary benefit helped foster a loyal customer base and strengthened the company’s relationship with its target audience.
  6. Results and Benefits
    The adoption of Agile methodologies for the development of the pregnancy healthcare app yielded several positive outcomes for the pharmaceutical company:

 

a. Improved Collaboration: The project kickoff meeting and ongoing Agile practices fostered collaboration between the marketing team and the IT service provider. This alignment resulted in a more cohesive and productive working environment.

b. Faster Time-to-Market: Agile principles, such as iterative development and regular feedback, accelerated the app’s time-to-market. Frequent releases and customer-centric iterations ensured timely delivery of features that met user expectations.

c. Enhanced Product Quality: Continuous integration and testing, facilitated by Agile practices, allowed for early identification and resolution of issues. This focus on quality assurance resulted in a robust and reliable application.

d. Increased User Engagement: The app’s popularity among pregnant women not only provided them with valuable healthcare advice but also served as a platform for introducing the company’s products. This resulted in enhanced user engagement and strengthened brand loyalty.

By selecting an iPhone app aimed at providing healthcare advice to pregnant women as a pilot project, the company demonstrated its commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. With the guidance of our Agile coach, the marketing team and the IT service provider seamlessly collaborated, resulting in the timely release of a high-quality application. The Agile approach not only improved project outcomes but also established a stronger bond between the company and its clients, promoting long-term customer loyalty.

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