RegSafe© manifesto - an agile management control methodology for regulatory - driven programs

We investigate existing methodologies for running large scale agile regulatory-driven programs for globally distributed corporations: Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe©), Large-scale Scrum (LeSS) and Disciplined Agile Delivery (DAD). Based on the specific requirements of regulatory-driven programs, high-complexity, equally business value, high level of audit engagement, dispersed customer need, principal-agent conflict caused information asymmetries, we conclude that the existing three methodologies SAFe©, LeSS and DAD do not fully adhere to the business needs for regulatory-driven programs for globally distributed corporations. Based on the identified gaps the methodology is refined and enhanced. This leads to the creation of RegSafe©, the agile management control methodology to scale agile regulatory-driven programs for globally distributed corporations. RegSafe© is based on the agile framework and bundles in a mixed-method approach management control system, stakeholder and behavioral economics underpinnings. The regulatory tsunami caused by the Global Financial Crisis in the Financial Sector and increasing regulatory intervention and less laissez-faire incorporating ad-hoc deliveries, large scale framework metric changes, mandatory global distributed system changes lead to multiple complex large-scale programs. Service industry such as Banks spend more than 60% on their change management program for regulatory compliance. The RegSafe© framework aims at providing a tool for global alignment of such large scale regulatory-driven programs, to enhance efficiency, maximise output, enable continuous delivery and control costs by applying hybrid agile and waterfall-driven planning leading to comprehensive management control system. It has implications for practitioners and researchers on the transformation of agile organizations and program managers of regulatory-driven programs.