DHS Agile Development and Delivery for IT Testimonial “The Department of Homeland Security is visionary for its embrace of Agile methods. The private sector uses Agile to deliver software faster, better, and cheaper than their competitors. DHS has realized the country can’t afford for them to do anything less.” - Jeff Sutherland, CEO of Scrum Inc. and co-creator of Scrum Instruction Manual # 102-01-004-01 Revision #00 ii DHS Agile Development and Delivery for IT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Purpose and Scope ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Why Agile? ............................................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Document Structure ............................................................................................................................................ 3 2. Agile: The Basics ............................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Understanding the Agile Approach ............................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Agile Methodologies and Frameworks ........................................................................................................ 6 2.2.1 Selecting and Preparing to Use a Methodology .............................................................................. 8 2.3 Agile Methodologies and Practices: A Comparative Overview............................................................ 9 2.3.1 Selecting the Right Agile Practices for the Project ........................................................................ 9 2.4 Agile Teams, Roles, Responsibilities, and Resources .......................................................................... 12 2.4.1 Program Manager ..................................................................................................................................... 12 2.4.2 Project Manager ........................................................................................................................................ 13 2.4.3 Product Owner ........................................................................................................................................... 13 2.4.4 Development Team .................................................................................................................................. 14 2.4.5 Test Team .................................................................................................................................................... 14 2.4.6 Agile Coach .................................................................................................................................................. 14 2.4.7 Additional Expertise ................................................................................................................................ 15 2.4.8 Oversight Bodies ....................................................................................................................................... 15 2.5 Success Factors and Risks ............................................................................................................................... 15 2.5.1 Stakeholder Engagement ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.5.2 Contracting Environment ...................................................................................................................... 15 2.5.3 Common Reporting Techniques and Metrics ................................................................................ 16 2.5.4 Resource Availability .............................................................................................................................. 16 2.6 Culture Change .................................................................................................................................................... 17 3. Agile and the Project Life Cycle .............................................................................................................................. 19 3.1 Integrating Agile Practices into the DHS IT Governance Frameworks ........................................ 19 3.1.1 Assessing the Project .............................................................................................................................. 19 3.1.2 Identifying Opportunities to Apply Agile Practices .................................................................... 20 3.2 Options for Tailoring the Systems Engineering Lifecycle Activities ............................................. 21 Instruction Manual # 102-01-004-01 Revision #00 iii DHS Agile Development and Delivery for IT 3.2.1 Reference: Agile Terms as Used in this Instruction Manual ................................................... 21 3.2.2 Agile Practices and Data Tracking ..................................................................................................... 23 3.2.3 Project Strategy and Structure ............................................................................................................ 26 3.2.4 SELC Tailoring Plan Development ..................................................................................................... 27 3.3 SELC Tailoring Considerations ..................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.1 SELC Tailoring Communication .......................................................................................................... 29 4. Applying Agile within DHS ....................................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Establishing the Project Plan ......................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.1 Emphasizing Flexibility in Agile Project Planning ...................................................................... 33 4.2 Building the Agile Project Team ................................................................................................................... 33 4.2.1 Agile Team Composition ................................................................................................................................ 33 4.2.2 Agile Team Training ........................................................................................................................................ 34 4.2.3 Agile Team Operations and Communications ....................................................................................... 35 4.3 Agile Contracting Considerations ................................................................................................................ 35 4.3.1 Government-wide Contracting Guidance to Support Agile Development ................................ 35 4.3.3 Contract Performance Metrics, Vendor Qualifications, and Related Challenges .................... 37 4.4 Establishing Tools, Processes, and Metrics ............................................................................................. 38 4.4.1 Agile Management Tools ................................................................................................................................ 38 4.4.2 Agile Project Management Processes ....................................................................................................... 39 4.4.3 Agile Project Metrics ........................................................................................................................................ 40 5. Applying Agile: Tips and Practical Lessons ..................................................................................................... 42 5.1 Tips for Preparing to Run an Agile Project .............................................................................................. 42 5.1.1 Get and Maintain Leadership Buy-In ................................................................................................ 42 5.1.2 Identify Interdependencies and Plan to Manage Them ............................................................ 42 5.1.3 Plan for Project Team Resources and Processes ......................................................................... 42 5.2 Tips for Preparing and Organizing the Agile Project Team ......................................................... 43 5.2.1 Team Training and Development ...................................................................................................... 43 5.2.2 Understanding and Fulfilling Roles ................................................................................................... 43 5.2.3 Establishing Communication Methods and Standards ............................................................. 44 5.2.4 Identifying and Working with an Agile Coach .............................................................................. 44 5.2.5 Beginning with a Pilot Project ............................................................................................................. 45