All too often, agile propagates like wildfire between companies. A developer or product manager that has had success at another company becomes a proponent for an agile methodology. The next thing you know, some heavyweight tool has been purchased and developers are left dazed and confused.
Here at Peak we’re believers that if you’re going to do something, you do it well. So, here are 4 things you need to implement agile well.
1. An Agile Coach: Get an expert. Just because we make a mean souffle doesn’t mean we can teach others to make one. A coach may seem like a costly proposition, but the return on the investment will be swift. We’ve seen differences in as little as 3–4 weeks.
2. An Executive Sponsor: Employees watch the actions of leadership very carefully. If you are not bought in at the top, you’ll spend a whole bunch of time talking about agile, and very little time actually doing it.
3. A sticky note budget: Digital tools are fantastic, and really should be all you need. However, when you’re first starting out, nothing beats a physical board with actual notes. It creates habits and reinforces concepts that bits and bytes can’t.
4. A pragmatic approach: Every company is different. Just because something was done a certain way at a previous company does not mean it will work in a new environment. Cultures, people, history, and workload all factor into a successful transition. Instead of adhering to best practices, adhere to the best practices for your company.