The majority of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) use the traditional Waterfall method for New Product Development, which takes development initiatives from detailed requirement capture and high level design to implementation. With the Waterfall Method newer tools are being introduced such as personas creation, user stories, use cases, and customer journey. Some MNO teams go further and experiment with their own versions of Agile and sprint related product development approaches.
Competitors of the MNOs, especially the Over The Top players, will mainly be using the newer and more flexible product development methods. This is because they are more likely to be software driven companies, companies without bricks and mortar infrastructure, and often smaller in size.
These competitors seem to have the upper hand in time-to-market with new products and services. This, combined with the significant hype around flexible product development methods such as Agile, is leading MNOs to review their product development processes.
In this report, we examine the MNO experience with Agile development methods to date. We also offer guidance on how and where Agile development methods can prove most productive for MNOs.
Keywords: Waterfall Product Development, Agile Product Development, MNO Use of Agile Product Development,
| Table of Contents |
| 1 | Overview | 1 |
| 2 | Introduction | 2 |
| 2.1 | Background to the Report | 2 |
| 2.2 | Report Content | 2 |
| 2.3 | Further Questions and Feedback | 3 |
| 3 | Waterfall Product Development in Mature Mobile Network Operators | 4 |
| 3.1 | Overview Waterfall | 4 |
| 3.2 | The Benefits of Waterfall | 5 |
| 3.3 | The Drawbacks of Waterfall | 5 |
| 4 | Agile Driven Development | 7 |
| 4.1 | Agile Overview | 7 |
| 4.2 | The Benefits of Agile | 8 |
| 4.3 | The Drawbacks of Agile | 8 |
| 5 | MNO Agile Development Experiences | 10 |
| 5.1 | Overview | 10 |
| 5.2 | Time to Market | 10 |
| 5.3 | The Organisation and the Type of Products | 10 |
| 5.3.1 | Where in the Organisation? | 10 |
| 5.3.2 | What Kinds of Products are Most Suitable for Agile? | 11 |
| 5.3.3 | What Type of Products: Consumer or Business? | 11 |
| 5.4 | Product Management & Product development | 11 |
| 5.5 | Product Development Processes and Procedures | 12 |
| 5.6 | Product Delivery and Implementation | 14 |
| 5.7 | Suppliers and Outsourcing Partners | 15 |
| 5.8 | People, Roles and Responsibilities | 15 |
| 5.9 | Company Culture and Management | 17 |
| 6 | The MNO Agile Hybrid | 19 |
| 6.1 | Overview | 19 |
| 6.2 | The MNO Agile Hybrid Works When? | 19 |
| 6.3 | The Useful Agile Tools Even in a Waterfall Development Method | 20 |
| 6.4 | Things to Manage Carefully While Using a Hybrid Development Method | 20 |
| 7 | Product Development Improvements Besides Agile | 22 |
| 7.1 | Overview | 22 |
| 8 | Key Findings | 24 |
| 8.1 | Key Findings of Agile Product Development at Mobile Network Operators | 24 |
| 9 | Recommendations | 26 |
| 10 | Appendix Agile | 27 |
| 10.1 | Manifesto for Agile Software Development | 27 |
| 10.2 | Principles Behind the Agile Manifesto | 27 |
| Appendix - Feedback Questions | 29 |
