Over the past 25 to 30 years, agile innovation methods have greatly
increased success rates in software development, improved quality and
speed to market, and boosted the motivation and productivity of IT
teams. Now those methods are spreading across a broad range of
industries and functions and even reaching into the C-suite. But many
executives don’t understand how to promote and benefit from agile; often
they manage in ways that run counter to its principles and practices,
undermining the effectiveness of agile teams in their organizations.
From their work studying and advising companies that have successfully
employed agile methods, the authors have discerned six crucial practices
for capitalizing on agile’s potential: (1) Learn how agile really
works; (2) understand when it is appropriate; (3) start small and let
passionate evangelists spread the word; (4) allow teams that have
mastered the process to customize their practices; (5) practice agile at
the top; and (6) destroy corporate barriers to agile behaviors. They
expand on each, providing executives with a practical guide for
accelerating innovation and profitable growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]