Endava Bets on AI Agents for Software Delivery

Endava, a global technology services firm, is fundamentally reshaping software delivery by embedding AI agents from OpenAI into its daily operations. This strategic shift aims to accelerate development cycles and transform enterprise workflows. The company is leveraging tools like ChatGPT Enterprise and Codex, viewing AI not as an add-on but as the primary approach to problem-solving.

According to Endava CTO Matthew Cloke, "To be AI-native at Endava, it’s about thinking about AI to solve the problem first." This philosophy is central to their new AI-native delivery methodology, DavaFlow, which is now powered by OpenAI technology across all stages. This initiative was highlighted in OpenAI News.

DavaFlow: An AI-Native Delivery Engine

Endava's transformation began with its software delivery teams. As developers explored AI-assisted coding, they identified bottlenecks in non-engineering phases like requirements gathering and planning. This led to the creation of DavaFlow, an AI-native approach designed to expedite these processes. The methodology now integrates AI from initial meeting preparation and business planning through product discovery, engineering, and deployment.

The impact of AI agents extends far beyond the engineering department. Legal teams are using AI for streamlined research and documentation, while project managers leverage Codex for generating governance reports and summarizing progress. Commercial teams have replaced complex spreadsheet exercises with lightweight, AI-generated applications for tasks like pricing discussions.

AI agents are also becoming integral to day-to-day management. Leadership teams utilize them for project summaries, automated communications, inbox management, and asynchronous work coordination. This pervasive integration signifies a move towards AI in software delivery being a core operational component.

Lessons in AI Adoption

Endava's rollout across its 11,000-person workforce revealed key principles for successful AI integration. Treating AI adoption as a behavior change rather than a mere software update is crucial. Leaders must actively champion and use AI to drive organization-wide buy-in.

Creating dedicated space for experimentation, even with imperfect outcomes, fosters innovation. Engaging non-technical teams early in the process and prioritizing hands-on experience are vital for overcoming skepticism. Ultimately, making AI a part of everyday workflows, not a separate initiative, is key to widespread adoption.

The Future of Orchestrated AI

As a long-term partner with OpenAI, Endava anticipates the next frontier in enterprise AI will focus on orchestration. This involves seamlessly combining models, agents, workflows, and human expertise into integrated systems that redefine organizational operations. Endava views this evolution as AI becoming the operating model itself. For organizations just beginning their AI journey, Cloke advises a simple yet profound step: start using the technology personally.