Checklist for Trying Out Agile on a Project
Quick Summary
A checklist summarizing one proven approach (of many) for applying and learning agile methodologies on a single project, as an experiment.
What this is
This is a checklist to guide organizations wanting to adopt agile one project at a time. While it provides one approach to adopting agile, it is certainly not the only way. The checklist is based on practices that have worked for project teams in the past, and is intended to position a project team to be as successful as possible implementing agile on a project while not causing wholesale changes to the organizations processes, at least initially.
Why it's useful
Project teams starting out with agile adoptions often struggle trying to figure out how to get started. This checklist provides a helpful reminder of things that have proven to be helpful to teams new to agile, without forcing them to find out these things the hard way.
How to use it
Review this checklist when you and your team are initially considering an agile approach on a project. Continue referring to the checklist as you continue the process of adopting the agile approach, utilizing the checklist as a high-level task list for your project.
Kent J. McDonald, partner and co-founder of Accelinnova, has more than a decade of experience guiding successful projects and designing business solutions in a variety of industries, including financial services, health insurance, performance marketing, human services, non-profit, and automotive. By addressing common questions about project leadership, Kent demonstrates how agile practices can be applied in organizations, focusing on his "Words To Lead By: Collaborate; Iterate; Serve The Team; Consider Context; Practice Excellence; Reflect And Adapt; Deliver Value."
Kent has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from Kent State University. He is co-founder, and Treasurer of the Agile Project Leadership Network, is a founder of the Agile Iowa Group, and is on the planning committee for the Agile 2007 Conference. He welcomes questions about project leadership with a focus on value at kent@kentmcdonald.com.
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