Software Engineering Institute

In this SEI Cyber Minute, Suzanne Miller explains a pitfall that can occur when trying to use Agile and Lean methods when developing and implementing complex, embedded systems. In such projects, development traditionally proceeds in a model shaped like a “V,” where the completion of requirements definition, architecture, and design occurs along the left branch of the “V” and leads to implementation at the bottom point. Then, the right branch of the “V” represents verification and validation activities. The difficulty is that these projects usually reap the benefits of the iterative, incremental aspects of Agile development only during implementation, after requirements, architecture, and design work are deemed to be finished. At that point, it becomes difficult to apply the lessons learned during implementation and to make necessary changes to the work that occurred before implementation began. Suzanne Miller explains the dynamics of this pitfall, and she describes a more agile and responsive mindset that teams can use to make sure they reap the benefits of Agile and lean approaches throughout development. In addition, she shares reference material that can help interested parties learn more.