{"id":14425,"date":"2020-02-03T18:47:38","date_gmt":"2020-02-03T13:17:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cigniti.com\/blog\/?p=14425"},"modified":"2023-03-08T17:38:26","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T12:08:26","slug":"agile-testing-banking-transformation-agile-trans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/agile-testing-banking-transformation-agile-trans\/","title":{"rendered":"How Agile helps building a bank of the future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In order to compete in the fast-moving digital world, banks\u00a0have to\u00a0let go the legacy infrastructure and operational processes. To succeed in a digital realm, their aim should be toward creating the best customer experiences.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">B<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">y increasing the market responsiveness,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">quality of services, affordability, and sustainability, banks can not only offer better customer experiences but also result in the strengthening of their own foundation as well.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The growing complexities and accelerated changes in the banking industry are necessitating the adoption of Agile practices.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Francesco Di Marcello, Partner at\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/industries\/financial-services\/our-insights\/banking-matters\/a-discussion-on-agile-in-banking-beyond-buzzwords\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">McKinsey<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0points out that \u201cAgile de-risks the digital angle of your strategy.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">For years, banks have been trying to \u201cvalue assure\u201d the results of large IT programs, after experiencing large and expensive failures. Now, the paradigm has shifted. Market and client behavior\u00a0is\u00a0changing so fast that it is very difficult to plan all of it before you get started, to detail the content of a five-year project right from the start. An agile approach allows banks to solve pain points in the client journey in a micro fashion, and to build on these changes incrementally.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Leading the banking transformation \u2013 Lloyds Banking Group<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Lloyds banking group, the largest digital bank in the UK, is transforming their ways of working by following a digitized, simple, low-risk, customer-focused strategy, which would enable them to deliver leading customer experiences. The group serves over 27 million retail customers, out of which 72% of their customers use two or more channels for interacting with them. Lloyds banking group is leading digital functionalities through continued innovation and Agile adoption. They followed a three-phased approach to succeed in their digital initiatives:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Phase 1: Building digital foundations, creating a scalable digital platform, providing choice and convenience for their customers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Phase 2: Creating the largest UK digital bank, enhancing digital capabilities, and undertaking customer journey transformation to improve experience and business efficiency.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Phase 3: Digitizing the group and transforming ways of working by enabling<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Broader and deeper digital transformation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Simplification and modernization of their IT and data architecture<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">More agile and more efficient ways of working<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"1\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Investing to build key skills of the future with greater in-house capabilities<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Now as the group is approaching completion of the third phase, Robert Eriksson, their Digital CTO,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/reflection-scaling-agile-robert-eriksson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">summarizes<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">journey as, \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The journey so far has been long and hard, particularly as we are also faced with a mountain of technical debt built up in an\u00a0organisation\u00a0that is 250+ years old and has experienced multiple mergers and divestments along the way. But by keeping things very simple, taking small steps forward (and some backwards) and letting the results speak for themselves our progress so far has helped build the necessary credibility. It is a marathon, not a sprint, and I would use two words to sum up the recipe for success. Grit and perseverance.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Agile transformation = banking transformation?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Contrary to the common assumption that Agile practices would render the banking processes slow, inefficient, and risky,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0actually simplif<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">y<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0them while significantly reducing the risk factor. All that is needed is a pragmatic approach to its adoption and implementation.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Although Agile manifesto and principles were formulated for software development processes, they\u00a0actually apply\u00a0to all the functions within an organization, including marketing, human resources, and customer services. So, when banks embark on their Agile transformation journey, they sign themselves up for a successful digital transformation\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as well. However, despite the benefits, organizations seldom taste success in their Agile initiative in the first attempt.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Agility requires flexibility. This means that prudency and methodical processes may prove counter-productive to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0banking organization\u2019s growth. With open banking now paving its way toward normalcy, with customers setting higher expectations with each technological\u00a0advancements, agile transformation is anything but evitable. For banks to transform them according to their customers\u2019 needs, they need to incorporate five critical elements \u2013 strategy, structure, people, process, and technology.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0By proactively and pragmatically addressing these elements, banks can\u00a0actually\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">be\u00a0agile<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0instead of just\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">doing agile<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The right way of doing agile to become truly agile<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The right way to become agile is to appropriately address three key areas \u2013 method, people, and technology.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Convince your people<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Agile is more about the individuals and interactions than it is about processes and tools, dictates the Agile manifesto, and rightly so. Before disrupting the processes across the organization, it is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">important for banking transformational leaders to take a step back and make effort to align their people and organizational culture.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Robert Eriksson says, \u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">People build solutions &#8211; not processes, not tools, not practices &#8211; people. While adopting an\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/perspective-scaling-agile-robert-eriksson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Agile method<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0can be a catalyst, it\u2019s really the DNA and mindset within the\u00a0organisation\u00a0that need to change. With the right people and mindset<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0you can achieve wonders with almost any delivery method, including Waterfall, but the method won\u2019t get you anywhere if culture and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">behaviours\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">are wrong.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Do not be prude about your method<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There is no one-fits-all solution for Agile adoption. It is all a matter of permutations and combinations of what works for a banking organization and what does not. Methods are only the means to\u00a0agile,\u00a0they are not the holy grail of agile. Therefore, it is not required that they are followed to the letter. Here, flexibility of processes, tools, and ways play an integral role.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The easy part \u2013 technology<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">When you take care of the people part and the processes part, the technology part\u00a0actually becomes\u00a0a cakewalk. This is because, the main\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">difficulties in technology adoption arise due to inflexibility and non-alignment from people and methodologies. After establishing credibility among their people and streamlining the processes, now banks can decide which technology suits their needs the best and implement them.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233279&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">You did all of\u00a0this,\u00a0but did you test?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The ratio of Agile adoption failure is much higher than the success. Organizations cannot fathom the reason of failure despite doing everything right and following all the best practices. Banks today face\u00a0a number of\u00a0challenges such as performance failures, lack of regulatory compliance, security vulnerabilities, complex functionalities of banking system, among others. In order to ensure that the transformation is achieved seamlessly while creating great customer experiences, agile testing to validate the end-to-end processes becomes necessary.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/industries\/banking\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Banking application testing<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/services\/agile-testing\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">agile testing<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0ascertains impeccable performance and guarantees the desired organizational outcomes.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cigniti is associated as testing partner with leaders in the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">banking\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">space across the functional spectrum like retail banking, corporate banking, mortgages, cards<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and payments.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With our<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0repertoire of proprietary tools, reusable artefacts<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and automation framework<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, we leave a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0positive impact<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0on the market responsiveness of the banks.\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/contact-us\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=hyperlink\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Talk to us<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0today.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In order to compete in the fast-moving digital world, banks\u00a0have to\u00a0let go the legacy infrastructure and operational processes. To succeed in a digital realm, their aim should be toward creating the best customer experiences.\u00a0By increasing the market responsiveness,\u00a0quality of services, affordability, and sustainability, banks can not only offer better customer experiences but also result in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":14434,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32,732],"tags":[2256,3000,784,2689,794,2999,799,803,2865,33,813,40,501],"ppma_author":[3727],"authors":[{"term_id":3727,"user_id":20,"is_guest":0,"slug":"cigniti","display_name":"Cigniti Technologies","avatar_url":{"url":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/120X120-1.png","url2x":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/120X120-1.png"},"user_url":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/","last_name":"Technologies","first_name":"Cigniti","job_title":"","description":"Cigniti is the world\u2019s leading AI &amp; IP-led Digital Assurance and Digital Engineering services company with offices in India, the USA, Canada, the UK, the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the Czech Republic, and Singapore. We help companies accelerate their digital transformation journey across various stages of digital adoption and help them achieve market leadership."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14425"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14425\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14434"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14425"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cigniti.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=14425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}