Making a successful transition to agile methods

Recently, the agile method has gained momentum in many companies. This method has been able to attract their interest thanks to its ability to adapt to changes in the market and activities. This is even more so with the arrival of COVID...

However, the establishment of this practice is a real challenge. It concerns not only the teams of developers but also all members of the organization. Several factors are to be taken into account to successfully complete the transition, among them :

• Sharing a common vision
• Team training
• The setting-up of rituals

Promoting communication and collaboration

Sharing a common vision

Sharing a common vision is a real challenge in the establishment of the agile method. Indeed, it is the responsibility of the "product owner" to share his vision of the evolution of products and services with his colleagues. This is to give meaning to what the team plans to do in the long term.

Through this common vision, it will be easier for the whole team to be effectively involved in the work they will deliver. 

Building this vision is a visual sharing, regular within the team over the next 3 to 12 months.

Team training

The team needs to understand the foundation of the agile method and it is the role of the organization to help them better understand how it works. This is why an agile coach is necessary. He will train and guide the whole team in their tasks while transmitting the cultures related to the agile method. It should be noted that members must be given time to experience this agile state of mind in order to be more effective.

Setting up rituals

To involve the whole team in the project, it is necessary to establish rituals, real team rites. They can be similar to meetings or, sometimes, ceremonies. These rituals promote interaction and exchange, and they also aim to greatly improve the team's performance.

Promote communication and collaboration

Communication will become more fluid in a continuous way. Each member will then be able to better communicate his or her experience, impressions, ideas or point of view on a given subject, without fear of reprisals. The objective is to facilitate collaboration between each member of the team.

Communication with clients should not be neglected either. Their feedback will allow the team to continually improve.

Adopting agility is not always easy. This is due to the fact that the company is forced to adapt to a new culture.

This is why it is important to apply discipline and perseverance to the methods leading to the transition to agility. 

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