In highly regulated sectors such as banking, energy, and public services, the imperative to innovate and modernize is matched only by the need to maintain rigorous compliance, data security, and operational resilience. For leaders in these industries, the path to digital transformation is uniquely complex—legacy systems, evolving regulations, and high-stakes customer expectations create a landscape where agility and compliance must go hand in hand. At Publicis Sapient, we have helped organizations in these sectors accelerate transformation by embedding agile engineering practices that not only meet regulatory demands but also unlock new value and resilience.
Regulated industries face a dual challenge: they must modernize legacy systems and processes to keep pace with digital-native competitors, while also ensuring that every change aligns with strict regulatory frameworks. Common hurdles include:
Breaking down silos is foundational. By forming small, multidisciplinary teams—comprising engineers, compliance experts, designers, and business analysts—organizations can accelerate decision-making and ensure that compliance is built into every stage of product development. This approach has enabled major banks and public agencies to align technology and business objectives, delivering value faster while maintaining regulatory rigor.
Applying Lean principles helps eliminate waste and streamline workflows, while Agile methodologies enable rapid iteration and continuous feedback. DevOps practices—such as automated testing, continuous integration, and deployment—ensure that quality and compliance checks are embedded throughout the software lifecycle. For example, Publicis Sapient’s work with leading financial institutions has demonstrated that value stream analysis and lean interventions can reduce time-to-market by up to 30% and improve quality by reducing defects by 30%.
Modernizing legacy systems often means migrating to cloud-native architectures and adopting microservices. This not only enhances scalability and resilience but also supports compliance by enabling granular control over data and processes. In the energy sector, for instance, moving to cloud-based platforms has allowed organizations to consolidate disparate systems, improve data transparency, and respond more quickly to regulatory changes.
Agile engineering in regulated industries requires a data-driven approach to compliance. By leveraging real-time data processing, automated validation, and secure cloud repositories, organizations can ensure that regulatory reporting is accurate, timely, and auditable. Publicis Sapient has helped clients build secure, cloud-based data platforms that streamline compliance while enhancing the user experience for both internal teams and external stakeholders.
Transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. Building a culture that values experimentation, learning from failure, and continuous improvement is essential. This includes:
Agile engineering is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a set of adaptable practices that can be tailored to the unique needs of each regulated industry. By combining deep industry expertise with proven frameworks and a culture of continuous improvement, Publicis Sapient helps clients in banking, energy, and public services accelerate transformation—delivering innovation, compliance, and quality at scale.
Ready to overcome your compliance and legacy challenges? Let’s start the conversation and unlock the next chapter of your digital transformation journey.