Overview
Deciding how to implement agile is one of the most consequential decisions an organization makes during its transformation journey. There's no one-size-fits-all approach. The right implementation strategy depends on your organization's size, budget, existing skill level, and how much leadership is willing to commit.
This visual guide compares 9 distinct implementation approaches, from hiring an internal expert to partnering with experienced consultants. Each approach is evaluated across 5 criteria: transformation size, investment required, scalability, necessary skill level, and leadership commitment.
Key Takeaways
- 9 distinct approaches to implementing agile, from DIY to full partnership
- How to evaluate each approach against 5 critical decision criteria
- The pros and cons of hiring internal experts vs. engaging external coaches
- Why the cheapest implementation option often costs the most long-term
- Which approaches scale effectively and which hit a ceiling
- How to match your implementation approach to your organizational context
The Implementation Decision
Choosing an implementation approach is as important as choosing to go agile in the first place. The wrong approach can leave teams frustrated, leadership disillusioned, and the organization worse off than before it started.
The 9 approaches in this guide represent the full spectrum of options we've seen across 100+ transformations. Each has legitimate use cases. The key is matching the approach to your specific context.
Evaluation Criteria
Each implementation approach is evaluated against 5 criteria: the size of transformation it can support (team, department, or enterprise), the investment it requires (both financial and organizational), how well it scales as the transformation grows, the skill level needed to execute it successfully, and the level of leadership commitment required.
No approach scores perfectly across all five dimensions. The right choice depends on which criteria matter most for your situation.