I just finished a series for my Pragmatic Manager newsletter about Agile Transformation Secrets:

• Part 1: Manage for Change
• Part 2: Emphasize Collaboration
• Part 3: Principles Over Practices

I wrote this series because I find that many people get a little confused about an agile transformation.

They think an agile approach will work because they can predict and commit better. They don’t realize encouraging change is a better approach.

They think an agile approach will help with full utilization. They don’t realize emphasizing collaboration for faster throughput is more effective.

They want the agile approach to succeed, so they think mandating specific practices will work. But, because everyone’s context is different, they could have more success with principles instead of practices.

People who are accustomed to only one deliverable for many weeks or months feel this way. They are not bad people. However, they don’t know what their options are, nor how to accomplish them.

Help your agile transformation succeed. Discover the beliefs people hold, and experiment with how you can help them work differently.