Agile SE Part Five: Agility on Large, Complex Programs
Wrapping up the series on Agile SE by describing implementation approaches. Includes discussions of key roles, cross-functional teams, and the critical value of SE on this type of effort.
Category: Agile
Minimum Viable Product (MVP): You’re doing it wrong
The concept is simple: create a version of your solution that’s just good enough and put it out in the real world to validate assumptions about the product and market. That way, if your assumptions are wrong, you can pivot or shut it down without having spent too many resources on a failed idea. If your assumptions are right, you’ll have some great feedback to propel you along and help populate your product roadmap.
The term is often misapplied. Learn what an MVP is, what it isn’t, and how to leverage them for the success of your concept.
Agile isn’t faster
A common misconception is that Agile development processes are faster. I’ve heard this from leaders as a justification for adopting Agile processes and read it in proposals as a supposed differentiator. It’s not true. Nothing about Agile magically enable teams to architect, engineer, design, test, or validate any faster.
Agile SE Part Four: Digital Transformation
“Digital transformation” means re-imagining the way businesses operate in the digital age, including how we engineer systems. Understand the possibilities that digital engineering unlocks.
Agile SE Part Three: Agile Contracts and the Downfall of Requirements
Requirements are a poor way to acquire a system. They’re great in theory, but frequently fail in practice. Agile contracting offers an alternative.
Agile SE Part Two: What’s Your Problem?
Agile reduces reliance on requirements and emphasizes understanding and meeting stakeholder needs. What does that look like?
Agile SE Part One: What is Agile, Anyway?
Agile is a relatively new approach to software development based on the Agile Manifesto and Agile Principles. This overview prepares us to dive into how we can apply this approach to systems engineering.
Agile SE Part Zero: Overview
“Agile” is the latest buzzword in systems engineering. It has a fair share of both adherents and detractors, not to mention a long list of companies offering to sell tools, training, and coaching. Dive into a thoughtful, reasoned discussion about when and how agile can work for systems engineering projects.