KETTERÄ JOHTAMINEN – KETTERÄN TOIMINTATAVAN JA ITSEOHJAUTUVUUDEN KEHITTÄMINEN ASIANTUNTIJAYRITYKSESSÄ Marjo Innanen & Henna Suhonen
Agile Management – Managing Agile Methods and Self-direction in an ICT company The purpose of this thesis was to research what agile management methods can be used to increase the initiative of specialists in LapIT Oy. The study aimed to answer the following questions: “What agile management methods can increase self-direction of specialists?” and “What increases self-direction of specialists?” The approach of this research was qualitative, and method used was case study since it is well suitable for development research. The source and research material were collected during spring and summer of 2021. The research was conducted by interviewing eight business directors, supervisors, or coaches of LapIT Oy. The interviews were conducted as thematic interviews. The results of the interviews were grouped, categorised, and analysed by using content analysis. According to the interview results most of the specialists were already considered to be self-directive but the level of self-direction varied. The interviewees stated that a sufficient level of self-direction would be a situation where the specialist would be independent and would take responsibility for their own expertise as well as taking responsibility for the development of the unit and the organization. The results showed that LapIT Oy already had some agile management methods in use such as interdepartmental co-operation and shared responsibility for teams and staff to develop their own operations, but these methods were not systematically used throughout the company. The research identified new agile management methods such as embracing coaching leadership and experimental culture that could increase self-direction of specialists in LapIT Oy. A development proposal was drawn based on the findings of the study. Keywords: agile management, agile, agile methods, self-direction
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