The non-profit organization Data4Life has set itself the goal of making health data "researchable". In this context, "researchable" means providing comprehensive, digital, and secure access to health data for research purposes, aiming to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Originally developed at the Hasso Plattner Institute, colleagues at the tech company Data4Life are working across three locations in Europe and Asia to realize this vision. Data4Life focuses on two main areas: public health and personalized medicine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a sharp increase in demand for digital health services. While Data4Life expanded its personnel significantly, its organizational structures struggled to keep pace. Simultaneously, the altered environmental conditions highlighted the emergencies within the local healthcare system: decades of neglect must now be addressed at record speed. To effectively compete in this race, strategic responsiveness and flexibility are essential.
The Loop Approach<sup>®</sup> is a transformation framework developed by TheDive that supports teams and organizations on their journey towards self-organization. Instead of a 'one size fits all' approach, the Loop Approach is tailored to the needs of individual teams and remains open-ended and agile despite process clarity. This makes the approach particularly relevant for transformation projects in times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, as it helps teams and organizations become adaptable and responsive within rapidly changing environmental conditions.
The goal of Loop Transformation Consulting is to collaboratively find an individual self-organized operating system with the teams of an organization. Over the course of three modules in the so-called 'classic' Loop, we impart the tools and methods necessary for an organization to achieve sustainable change.
In 2020, Data4Life approached TheDive with the task of preparing their multinational team for the impending paradigm shift. The organization aimed to establish personnel structures with clear responsibilities to effectively translate the demanding dynamics of the industry environment into decisions. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a tightrope walk, especially for non-profit organizations.
We opted for a dual approach: In parallel with the 'classic' Loop for teams, two employees also completed training as Loop Fellows in the Loop Academy. This training helps individuals learn the methods and processes of the Loop Approach to support teams and organizations in transformation processes. This allowed Data4Life to continue developing along its own needs even after completing the Loop journey.
From September 2020 to January 2021, a cross-functional team at Data4Life underwent the three modules and embraced the seven virtues of the Loop Approach. Typically, existing teams embark on such a Loop journey. However, this cross-functional team was specifically formed for this purpose, comprising various relevant stakeholders within the company's landscape. Their goal was to apply what they learned across the organization.
The initiative addressed three central questions:
- How does the Loop Approach align with Data4Life's extensive range of topics?
- How can we unite interdisciplinary teams, such as Marketing and Tech or Compliance and Medical?
- And: Which methods and practices from the approach are effective in different teams?
A particular challenge was that Data4Life primarily operates with ever-changing, time-limited project teams, which function with different dynamics due to their practical orientation. Typically, these are software teams using established approaches like Scrum. Consequently, the start of the Loop journey was bumpy, with mixed feedback. At that time, Data4Life questioned: Does Loop bear fruit in our project-based teams?"
„The methods of the Loop approach are now firmly integrated into our organizational structure and have become an indispensable part of our daily work routine. What makes them special is that they do not replace the familiar agile structures but elevate them to a new level in many respects.“
Shortly after completing the first module of the Loop journey, the Chief of Staff team led by Michael Haizmann, together with a colleague from the product team, began their training as Loop Fellows at the Loop Academy. Together, they developed a deeper understanding of the methods of the Loop Approach and their interactions. This is where the synergistic effects of the dual approach began to unfold. The aspiring Loop Fellows identified which Loop contents were particularly relevant for Data4Life and supported in the team process of imparting knowledge, while TheDive facilitators continuously aligned the Loop journey with the teams' needs.
In this context, tension-based work proved to be particularly beneficial for the employees: Knowing that all ideas and comments are addressed at the right time and place creates calmness and certainty, especially in the fast-paced work environment.
Additionally, the knowledge of Spiral Dynamics helped Data4Life's teams develop an awareness of the various forms of collaboration. The daily check-ins at the start of meetings were attributed an "unbelievable impact," especially during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The fellowship trainings ended almost concurrently with the team journey of the Loop Approach. With two newly minted Loop Fellows, Data4Life continued to utilize the framework transformatively even after completing the Loop journey. For instance, meeting structures were adjusted and further developed based on their own needs. This allowed Data4Life to adapt their own operating system quickly and responsively during turbulent environmental changes.
Two and a half years after the end of the Loop journey, more and more teams at Data4Life are adopting the Loop approach. According to Michael Haizmann, this is reflected primarily in team satisfaction. He observes an increase in trust and team cohesion, psychological safety, and – an important factor for an impact-driven organization – more enjoyment in work. Teams using Loop also consistently lead in internal surveys on employee experience. For Haizmann, this reflects a new perspective on work: "When we consciously discuss structures, we can solve problems differently."
So, what structures are needed to remain agile and adaptable even in times of crisis? Looking at the developments at Data4Life, one could say that clarity about the structures we surround ourselves with and how they influence our work and team processes is crucial. Once aware of the organizational operating system, one can begin to develop clear processes and structures aligned with their own needs. And how these details ultimately manifest is as unique as the organization itself.
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Teams looped
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standardized Loop workshop templates
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projects with renowned partners where Loop content was utilized
"Data4Life started at a high level. Colleagues were accustomed to working in stand-ups and sprints, adapting quickly to changing conditions. From my perspective, the Loop journey has complemented the methodological repertoire sensibly and has contributed significantly to creating a common language and framework across team boundaries - not just methodologically, but also culturally."
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