How do we get started with Agile or anything, really? Here is an opinionated series of answers that build upon each other. It doesn’t happen overnight, so take it a step at a time!
BUILD SOMETHING. Seriously, just build. Not later, not tomorrow- now! And build something while you are waiting. (Thank you Christmas Vacation) Get started and get moving. You can sit in analysis paralysis for as long as you like, but until you decide to start, you are still “planning.” Good ole’ Ike once said that, “In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” So remember, you only need a series of waypoints, not a detailed map, in order to get started.
Build THE thing. What thing? The thing that is being asked for, of course. And yes, I mean do NOT build the thing that just you want to build.
Build the RIGHT thing. Wait a minute- isn’t that what you just said? No! You can build the thing that is being asked for, without building the right thing. (i.e. ask for clarification and include your customer along the way)
Build the right thing RIGHT. Consider the element of craftsmanship, as well as the poor soul that will support or extend the RIGHT thing, 2 weeks or months or years from now.
Build the right thing right, AND MEASURE. Someone once told me that if you don’t provide measures, then you are simply “busy”, rather than “productive”.
Build the right thing right, and measure the RIGHT THINGS. I know, it’s getting a little tricky now. If you measure the wrong things, people will always perform to what they are measured on. So, be careful what you measure!!