Safaricom has transitioned to the Agile methodology, moving away from the traditional

Waterfall approach to improve their software development and organizational efficiency.

Agile Adoption at Safaricom

Current Agile Implementation
Currently:

 46% of Safaricom PLC Kenya is Agile

 M-PESA Africa is 100% Agile
 The company aims to be fully Agile by the end of FY25
 They are also planning to transition Safaricom Ethiopia to an Agile organization5

Motivation for Methodology Change

Key Drivers for Agile Adoption
1. Faster Time-to-Market
Agile allowed Safaricom to "build as a team, designing solutions that took [them] to
market faster"5
2. Organizational Flexibility
The company aims to be:

 More agile
 More innovative
 Cost-optimal1

Inspiration and Learning

Interestingly, Safaricom drew inspiration from military practices, noting how:

 The military uses Agile effectively

 They can resource and move quickly when given an assignment
 There's a culture of equal respect across different roles in a team5

Advantages of Agile Methodology

Organizational Benefits
1. Collaborative Approach

 Breaks down hierarchical barriers

 Encourages team-based problem-solving
 2. Rapid Adaptation
Safaricom seeks strategic partners who:

 Can supplement their digital solution development capacity

 Understand and can work within the Agile framework2

Technical Advantages
Agile enables:

 Automation of CI/CD pipelines

 Seamless software deployment and integration
 Infrastructure as Code (IaC) implementation
 Containerization and orchestration
 Continuous monitoring and performance optimization
 Integrated security practices (DevSecOps)2

Implementation Approach
Safaricom is exploring multiple resource engagement models:

1. Scope-based Delivery
o Fixed cost and time projects
o Solution delivery in sprints
o Aligned with Agile software development principles
2. Skills-on-Demand Model
o Bringing in competent skillsets
o Augmenting internal capacity for fixed periods2

Strategic Outlook
The company is developing an IT ecosystem that:

 Increases the proportion of Open-Source technology

 Supports an "open-source first" mindset across all operations1

By embracing Agile, Safaricom is positioning itself as a dynamic, responsive, and innovative

technology organization capable of quickly adapting to market changes and customer needs.
Safaricom, Kenya's leading telecommunications company, has transitioned from the
traditional Waterfall methodology to Agile.1 This shift began in 2020 as part of their strategic
direction to become a technology company rather than just a telco.2

Agile Methodology at Safaricom:

Safaricom has embraced Agile principles and practices across its organization.3 They have
adopted a structure with:

 Squads: Small, cross-functional teams focused on delivering specific features or

products.4

 Tribes: Collections of squads working on related areas.5

 Centers of Excellence: Groups that provide expertise and support in specific

domains.

This structure promotes collaboration, quick iteration, and customer-centricity. 6 Safaricom

also emphasizes the use of technology to support its Agile model, including automation, AI,
big data, and analytics.7

Advantages of Agile:

 Faster Time to Market: Agile's iterative approach allows Safaricom to release

products and features more quickly, responding rapidly to market demands and
customer needs.8

 Increased Customer Focus: Agile prioritizes customer feedback and incorporates it

throughout the development process, leading to products that better meet customer
expectations.9

 Improved Flexibility: Agile enables Safaricom to adapt to changing requirements and

market conditions more easily than with Waterfall's rigid structure.10

 Enhanced Collaboration: Agile fosters communication and collaboration among team

members, breaking down silos and improving overall efficiency.11

 Higher Quality Products: Continuous testing and integration in Agile help identify
and fix issues early, resulting in higher quality products.12

 Increased Employee Engagement: Agile empowers employees by giving them more

autonomy and ownership, leading to increased motivation and job satisfaction.13

Need for Change:

Safaricom's transition to Agile was driven by several factors:

 Evolving Customer Expectations: Customers today demand faster, more personalized

services. Agile enables Safaricom to meet these expectations by delivering solutions
quickly and iteratively.
  Competitive Landscape: The telecommunications industry is rapidly evolving, with
new technologies and competitors emerging constantly.14 Agile allows Safaricom to
stay ahead of the curve by being more adaptable and innovative.15

 Digital Transformation: Safaricom's ambition to become a technology company

requires a more agile and customer-centric approach to development and service
delivery.

 Limitations of Waterfall: The Waterfall methodology, with its sequential phases and
rigid structure, was not flexible enough to meet the demands of the fast-paced
digital world.16 Agile offered a more adaptable and collaborative way of working.

Impact of Agile:

Safaricom has seen significant benefits from adopting Agile, including:

 Faster delivery of products and services, such as the M-PESA app and the Hustler
Fund.

 Improved customer satisfaction through more customer-centric solutions.

 Increased employee engagement and collaboration.

 Enhanced ability to adapt to market changes and innovate.

Overall, Safaricom's transition to Agile has been a key factor in their continued success and
their evolution into a leading technology company in Africa.

Safaricom, a leading telecommunications company in Kenya, has transitioned from the

traditional Waterfall methodology to the Agile methodology. This shift aligns with their
strategic focus on becoming a customer-obsessed, digital-first organization.

Current Methodology: Agile

Safaricom has adopted the Agile methodology, which emphasizes iterative development,
collaboration, and flexibility. This approach allows for quick turnaround and development of
new products and improvements.

Advantages of Agile Methodology

1. Flexibility and Adaptability:

o Agile allows for changes at any stage of the project, accommodating evolving
customer requirements and market conditions.
 o This flexibility ensures that the final product is more aligned with customer
needs.

2. Improved Collaboration:

o Agile promotes continuous communication and collaboration among team

members, stakeholders, and customers.

o This leads to better alignment and understanding of project goals and

requirements.

3. Faster Time-to-Market:

o By breaking down projects into smaller, manageable sprints, Agile enables

faster delivery of features and products.

o This iterative approach allows for quicker feedback and adjustments, reducing
the time to market.

4. Enhanced Quality:

o Continuous testing and integration in Agile ensure that issues are identified
and resolved early in the development process.

o This leads to higher-quality products and fewer defects.

5. Customer-Centric Approach:

o Agile prioritizes customer feedback and involvement throughout the

development process.

o This ensures that the final product meets customer expectations and delivers
value.

Need for Changing the Methodology

1. Market Dynamics:

o The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and rapidly evolving.

Agile's flexibility allows Safaricom to respond quickly to market changes and
customer demands.

2. Innovation and Growth:

o Safaricom aims to expand its digital ecosystems and develop new growth
areas such as health, education, and agriculture.

o Agile supports innovation by fostering a culture of experimentation and

continuous improvement.

3. Operational Efficiency:
 o Agile's iterative approach and focus on collaboration lead to more efficient
use of resources and reduced project timelines.

o This efficiency is crucial for Safaricom's goal of delivering superior customer

experiences and driving economies of scale.

By transitioning to Agile, Safaricom can better navigate the complexities of the modern
market, deliver high-quality products faster, and maintain a strong focus on customer
satisfaction.