Recommended practices:
TestDrivenDevelopment is even more important than comprehensive testing
Also see:
[http://www2.umassd.edu/SWPI/xp/articles/r6047.pdf Iterative and Incremental Development: A Brief History] by Craig Larman and Victor R. Basili
[http://agileskills.org/download.html.en Essential Skills for Agile Development] by Tong Ka Iok is available for online reading or purchase.