First steps in transitioning to Agile Methods from Traditional methods

1. Study the culture of the team and strategize based on whether the team falls under the Innovator or Early adopter or Followers categories
2. Bring Agile Project management concepts step by step. All the Agile concepts can not be implemented in one day, it would only cause failure.
3. Elucidate the benefits of Agile and how that could help win a customer or retain a customer
Here are some advantages of Agile Methodologies:

* Customer satisfaction by rapid, continuous delivery of useful software *Working software is delivered frequently (weeks rather than months)
* Face-to-face conversation is the best form of communication
* Close, daily cooperation between business people and developers
* Working software is the principal measure of progress
* Continuous attention to technical excellence and good design
* Simplicity
* Regular adaptation to changing circumstances
* Self-organizing teams
* Projects are built around motivated individuals, who should be trusted
* Even late changes in requirements are welcomed (this does not mean just more coding. Instead removing an existing feature or moving a deadline forward to accommodate late/unplanned feature requests

4. Tailor the Agile Methods or Scrum to fit the needs of your organization
5. YAGNI – Remember the acronym YAGNI (You Aint Gonna Need It – Unless Business conditions require it)
6. Trust your team members and empower them
7. Agile may not work well if the majority of your team members are just beginning their career as it requires a high level of commitment from your team members.

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