guide

Detecting Agile BS

Published on
5 minute read

Agile is a buzzword of software development, and so all DoD software development projects are, almost by default, now declared to be “agile.” The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to DoD program executives and acquisition professionals on how to detect software projects that are really using agile development versus those that are simply waterfall or spiral development in agile clothing (“agile-scrum-fall”).

Detecting Agile BS {: .responsiveImage}

Principles, Values, and Tools

Experts and devotees profess certain key “values” to characterize the culture and approach of agile development. In its work, the DIB has developed its own guiding maxims that roughly map to these true agile values:

Agile valueDIB maxim
Individuals and interactions over processes and tools“Competence trumps process”
Working software over comprehensive documentation“Minimize time from program launch to deployment of simplest useful functionality”
Customer collaboration over contract negotiation“Adopt a DevSecOps culture for software systems”
Responding to change over following a plan“Software programs should start small, be iterative, and build on success ‒ or be terminated quickly”

{: .table .table-striped .table-bordered .d-none .d-md-block}

Key flags that a project is not really agile:

Some current, common tools in use by teams using agile development (these will change as better tools become available):

Graphical version:

Detecting Agile BS {: .responsiveImage}

Questions to Ask

Questions for Program Management

Questions for Customers and Users

Questions for Program Leadership

More information on some of the features of DoD software programs are included in Appendix A DIB Ten Commandments on Software  , Appendix B DIB Metrics for Software Development  , and Appendix C DIB Do’s and Don’ts of Software  .

guide

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Emerson Process Management Logo
Bistech Logo
Alignment Healthcare Logo
Philips Logo
Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo
Qualco Logo
Jack Links Logo
Trayport Logo
Deliotte Logo
Lockheed Martin Logo
DFDS Logo
Slaughter and May Logo

CR2

Genus Breeding Ltd Logo
Graham & Brown Logo

NIT A/S

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo
Milliman Logo
Washington Department of Transport Logo
Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo
New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo
Washington Department of Enterprise Services Logo
Royal Air Force Logo
Nottingham County Council Logo
Microsoft Logo
Emerson Process Management Logo

NIT A/S

Higher Education Statistics Agency Logo
Qualco Logo
Genus Breeding Ltd Logo