The IGNITE framework is a bespoke agile delivery model created by the IT Services department to elevate work culture and alignment to Victoria University (VU) priorities by championing employee engagement and accelerating learning and adaption.
On this page you can find out more about the IGNITE framework and how you can use it to create a collective mindset focused on innovation and collaboration and solve business problems in your team or organisation.
In late 2019, VU's IT Services department began transitioning to a new way of working. Named the IGNITE (Inclusive, Grow-in-Numbers, Innovate, Trust, Evolve) framework, the delivery model is a bespoke agile framework combining Scrum, SAFe, Lean Six Sigma and Kanban practices.
The IGNITE vision is to elevate work culture at a departmental level through a framework that champions employee engagement and empowerment with a collective mindset focused on innovation and collaboration for solving emergent business problems.
Through positive word-of-mouth, improved cross-functional collaboration and outstanding project outcomes, the benefits of IGNITE have begun to inspire organic interest in organisational agility from many diverse departments and fields of work. This is leading to a more widespread adoption of the IGNITE operating model, both within and outside of the University community.
Hear from key players in the IGNITE transformation (video) and the positive benefits that have already been felt University-wide.
IGNITE’s goal is to create a self-propelling work culture that sparks inspiration, confidence and empowerment in every individual. It also provides methods for adapting and thriving in increasingly complex and uncertain work environments. Therefore IGNITE helps ‘light the fire’ in everyone to overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
As an acronym, IGNITE stands for:
IGNITE enhances the ability to tackle large projects and adapt to constantly evolving requirements with flexibility. It supports teams to provide value to clients and stakeholders early and often – while enabling continuous involvement, feedback and improvements.
In an IGNITE work environment, the focus is on:
When IGNITE is done well, outcomes for individuals, teams and projects include:
The IGNITE framework also supports VU’s strategic goals to be Always WEST (Welcoming, Ethical, Shaping the future, Together) by fostering the following core values of VU’s strategic vision to:
In simple terms, IGNITE follows the core agile principles of collectively planning out work, completing tasks and providing value incrementally via sprint cycles which work towards completion and provision of a final product or service.
Some of the key processes (or 'rituals') that occur under the IGNITE Framework include:
However, IGNITE is not a prescriptive model and remains flexible according to the challenges of each project and business area. We adapt our approach to ensure the greatest success is achieved and acknowledge that each work environment and project goal is unique. If you would like to find out how IGNITE could work for you, please express your interest using the form below.
IGNITE uses key agile rituals such as Big Room Planning
IGNITE’s biggest aim is to create positive work cultures and interactions between individuals and teams.
Since the widespread introduction of IGNITE across IT Services at VU, we’ve found that employees are feeling more empowered, valued and recognised for their contributions to the overall success of the department’s activities and goals. Clarity around expectations and performance is also improving for staff who feel a greater sense of being supported, pride and belonging to their team and department. Stakeholders and clients across the University also report feeling more deeply engaged with technology delivery and appreciate the transparent and collaborative nature of our way of working.
Some highlights for employees after only 12 months included increases of:
The IGNITE framework has definitely improved the way we collaborate with ITS. We now understand each other better and there’s more inclusivity for key stakeholders around the University. Everyone comes together and collaborates, enriching projects from the perspectives and shared knowledge of everyone.
All of our projects over the past twelve months have delivered the scope that we set out for – and sometimes more. This is a far better outcome and it means we can deliver new technology and functionality for students faster and more often throughout the year.
Naomi Dempsey
Interim Deputy Provost (Students & Academic Services), Victoria University
What I like about the evolving IGNITE framework is exactly that: it is evolving through continuous use and feedback loops on what works/does not work, built into the model itself. It’s not a stagnant model. IGNITE is a journey not and end point.
From a self-leading/learning lens, the concept of an internally agile university, where basic and ongoing training is done to continually enhance the skills of those operating the IGNITE model, is something I’d like to highlight. It’s also a virtual area where new ideas and concepts can be experimented with before they are applied across ongoing teams or squads across various technology and business value streams.
John Farrow
Business Agility Coach/Lean 6S Trainer
At VU, we are passionate about broadening awareness and understanding of Lean-Agile frameworks and how they can enhance employee experience, work culture and value creation. So, this program does not have a finish line. IGNITE is continuously incorporating the challenges of today and tomorrow into renewed ways of working, prioritising the human experience at its core.
IGNITE will continue to fuel collective success in IT Services, helping meet and exceed the needs of clients, employees, and VU's students. However, the IGNITE framework is increasingly being applied, not only more broadly across the University as a default way of working, but soon beyond VU to partner organisations and communities.
In 2022 IGNITE will continue to fuel collective success in IT Services, helping meet and exceed the needs of clients, employees, and VU's students.
We are currently revisiting our IGNITE operating model, primarily the composition of our squads, with a quest towards continuous improvement, based upon the goals of:
Our reimagining of the Agile operating model has its basis in research into cognitive load, communication pathways and trust between individuals and within organisations – and how the nuances and interactions between these impact employee sentiment and value creation.
Stay tuned for further updates as we pilot our new approach and its wider impacts.
Explore articles on innovation and tips for agile ways of working from IGNITE team members on LinkedIn and other blogs and sites in the IGNITE knowledge base.
Would you like to find out more about the IGNITE framework and how it may contribute to a better work culture and achievement of excellence in your team or organisation?
Please contact us via email at [email protected].
If you are a VU staff member, you can undertake this Introduction to Agile Frameworks module via VU Develop. It's made up of self-paced training modules in the IGNITE fundamentals.
