Many companies want to “go Agile,” to gain the benefits it provides. For these businesses, a big bang Agile transition won’t work. A more structured and thoughtful approach is needed so that progress can continue unimpeded. What we want to do is go down the Agile road, rather than load ourselves onto a catapult and go straight to the end. So how do we do that? I’ll show you the steps we take with our ADS Skirmish customers.

Phase 1: Stabilize

Phase 1 companies have issues, and they know it. Problems can range from a complete lack of process to absence of metrics to a disenfranchised team. Some agile practices might be in place but aren’t followed or tracked. The bottom line is that decisions are made from false or missing information.

The goal with phase 1 companies is to stabilize development and get a true lay of the land. Additional Agile processes need to be put into place along with metrics. We take an outside-in approach, looking at company and product goals, and how the requirements flow to the development team. Metrics are determined, and current systems are either updated to provide the required information, or new systems are put into place.

This process can take from weeks to months depending on the situation. By the end, development should be stable and predictable, the project is an information radiator, and everyone is on the same page as to process and how they are measured.

We can’t stop there though if we want the true value Agile can provide.

Phase 2: Increase Agility

Having a development team that can predictably and reliably deliver is a waste if the surrounding cast is oeprating as a separate entity. We’ve all worked with companies like this. Sales is selling things that don’t exists, marketing is saying something else, and operations is scrambling to keep up with every changing priorities and unknowns. To get all of the benefits of Agile, all other operations have to be in alignment with the core Agile team. Phase 2 companies have the team and are looking for growth.

In phase 2 we align all operations with the agile team. This includes,

• Looking at how contracts are structured
• Ensuring that sales, marketing, and everyone else is on the same page as to company vision and goals
• Transparency exists across all levels and functions of the organization
• Key performance indicators of each department are made available to everyone

Once the entire company is in alignment, maximum growth is achievable.

Phase 3: Sustain

Phase 3 companies are rocking the house. They are streamlined, agile operations where everyone is working as a true team. Silos no longer exist. Improvement and updating of practices and process is the name of the game.

Bottom Line

If you are in a small company that is just starting out, or doing contract work where you can change your process quickly then you are lucky. For a majority of companies looking to implement Agile, they are well down the road of product development, and need to inject more Agile practices without derailing the progress they have made.

Once an honest assessment has been made and the goals are clarified, a plan of action can be developed and implemented. This way, change can steadily take place, and the desired and best results achieved. If you want to get all the benefits agile can provide, you need to take the entire company agile. Then you’ll see some serious ass kickery going on.