FEATURE-SME and Agility for Prosperity

By Timothy A. Edward

We have entered a unique year in the world calendar of events. Half of the world’s population is going to the polls in 2024. Which means we can predict leadership changes and new faces that will enter the arena of world governance. 

Added to this, the world of ours is also plagued with major economic challenges due to micro and macro remedial steps crumbling under the pressure of huge monetary debts that nations are facing. Continuous steps are being taken to avoid economic meltdowns and shutdowns, as indicators show the world moving towards an alternative monetary system instead of cash, more like a cashless society, which is already being practiced in some countries. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as another world changer. Although some among us are slow to adapt to AI, there is a never-seen-before hike in its usage and breakthrough inventions in medicine and technologies are happening every day thanks to AI. 

All these and more suggest that while the world is going through spiral changes, there is also the creation of major opportunities. In this context, is there a way we can navigate ourselves to stay on top of the transformational waves that are being rolled into business, technology, medicine, politics, and economics?

One way to go about it is by understanding and implementing the Situation, Mission and Execution (SME) concept in conjunction with the Agility Method.

1. Situation:

The first step in the SME concept is to conduct a thorough assessment of the current situation. This involves understanding the external environment, including the political landscape, economic conditions, and technological advancements. This analysis can help identify potential opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed.

Agility Method, with its focus on adaptability and flexibility, can help in continuously monitoring and analysing the situation to identify any changes and anticipate potential challenges or opportunities.

2. Mission:

Once the situation has been analysed, the next step is to define a clear mission and the overall goal that needs to be achieved. For example, the mission could be to leverage AI for economic growth and development.

The Agility Method can help in defining and refining the mission by breaking it down into smaller, achievable goals that can be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on the changing situation.

3. Execution:

With a clear mission in mind, the final step is to execute the plan to achieve the mission. This plan should take into consideration the potential challenges and opportunities identified in the situation analysis and outline the specific actions and strategies needed to achieve the mission. 

The Agility Method can aid in the execution phase by promoting a collaborative approach, where teams can quickly adapt to changing circumstances and continuously improve their strategies.

Overall, the SME concept and Agility Methodology can provide individuals and organisations with a structured and adaptable framework to overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities, even though our globe, which is established upon ever-rolling, ever-rising waves, will continue to go through paradigm shifts and changes this season.