Here’s a raw idea I’m playing with in my head:
Agile development is great. But, if your team doesn’t map well to it, steal ideas from agile relentlessly.
You want a fluid environment where developers can solve problems (features, defects, chores) as they see fit.
Don’t use procedures to normalize productivity or as a communication protocol.
Do have a way to communicate things that need to get done or could possibly get done.
You need a safety net. Unless you know better, that safety net is some kind of automated developer test suite.
Enable developers, don’t direct them.
Discuss.