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I recently wrote a post arguing that Open Source is essential to eBusiness success. Essential it may be, but it is by no means sufficient. Open source is just one third of the recipe. Ingredient number 2 is Agile Development methodologies.

Agile software development is a conceptual framework for software engineering.
Agile methods emphasize face-to-face communication over written documents. Most agile teams are located in a single open office sometimes referred to as a bullpen. At a minimum, this includes programmers and their “customers” (customers define the product; they may be product managers, business analysts, or the clients). The office may include testers, interaction designers, technical writers, and managers.

Wikipedia dixit. The secret is working together, developers and business people co-located in the same office, working towards the same goals as a collaborative team. What could go wrong?

Well, if you ask most corporate IT, security and even Marketing departments, plenty. After all, when did you last see a large corporation actually using Agile methods? I thought so.

No worries though. Joshua Kerievsky comes to the rescue with his 10 tips for successful Agile transitions. Now there are no more excuses. Be agile!

Roberto Hortal

Head of Digital - EDF Energy --- I am an eBusiness Director with many years of experience in great businesses across the world. Born and bred in Benidorm, Spain, I started my eBusiness career in the 90s with Nokia in Helsinki, heading Nokia’s Global Web organisation for a number of years. In 2004 I moved to the UK to join easyJet. I led easyJet.com into its current form at a frantic startup pace. In 2006 I joined RSA as MORE TH>N Head of eBusiness. From 2009 I led the effort of replicating MORE TH>N’s online success across Central and Eastern Europe. In August 2011 I became Head of Digital at EDF Energy, where I lead EDF Energy's ambitious Digital B2C Strategy.

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