Sabanci University: Solving Transformation Challenges with Disciplined Agile®

Sabanci University, a leading academic institution in Turkey, initiated a comprehensive digital transformation to modernize its operational structures and strengthen collaboration between academic, administrative and technology-driven functions. Despite having a strong academic and research foundation, the university faced challenges such as fragmented digital development efforts, unclear ownership models, inconsistent governance and the absence of standardized ways of working across departments.

To address these challenges systematically, the university established four specialized teams within its Digital Transformation Office:

• Project Management Office — governing digital initiatives and ensuring alignment with strategic objectives
• Lean Office — simplifying workflows and optimizing end-to-end processes
• Data Governance Team — defining data ownership, policies and secure data management
• Product Development Team — enhancing digital product management and agile execution

Using the Disciplined Agile® Value Acceleration Guide, the university conducted structured discovery workshops and stakeholder alignment sessions. These sessions identified root causes, clarified expectations and established a common understanding of principles, roles and governance needs.

Following this analysis, Sabancı University designed a comprehensive governance model across four pillars: project and portfolio governance, product management, lean process improvement, and data governance. Steering committees, demand-classification models, product ownership structures, standardized workflows and clear data roles were formalized to ensure coherence and long-term sustainability.

The transformation also introduced agile and lean practices across digital initiatives, enabling more collaborative work between business units and IT. Ideathons, hackathons and regular cross-team engagements helped the university build a structured approach to innovation, while life cycle–based ways of working ensured teams could operate in models suited to their context.

Sabancı University’s approach demonstrates how higher education institutions can apply modern governance, product management structures and agile/lean frameworks to address increasing digital complexity and create a foundation for scalable and sustainable transformation.