Starting Small
Rather than attempt to change the entire IT community at once, the best way to introduce rapid development techniques may be to start small. A small group should be charged with selecting the tools and techniques for fast development. Then, one or more small, specialized Construction Teams should be set up and their members thoroughly trained in the use of the tools and techniques, with the goal of making the brightest and most capable developers as skilled as possible with the most powerful tools. These special teams of two to four people should be put to work on some non-critical projects. As the teams gain experience, they will be able to fine-tune the development life cycle to improve its effectiveness in their environment.
Advanced Technology Groups
Some organizations have set up "high-productivity cells" in otherwise low productivity IT communities. These are sometimes called "advanced technology groups." The goal of an advanced technology group is to create high-quality systems while achieving a productivity level and cycle time dramatically better than those of the department as a whole. The performance of an advanced technology group must be measured. If the group achieves its goal, its methods should be spread throughout the department, with group members employed to describe their successes and train others in the new techniques.
To make a high-productivity cell work, management should identify the most capable early adapters, employ the most powerful toolset available, and follow a development path tailored to the toolset. The developers should be encouraged to learn as much as they can about the toolset and the methodology. These steps will ensure a well-trained, high-quality work group.
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