The governance framework or agile governance model is used in conjunction with a standard Agile processes, such as Scrum. They work in two specific ways:
The ADAPT and CONTROL framework includes techniques for effectively controlled programmes:
Project initiation for uncertainty managementAdditionally ADAPT and CONTROL includes the definitive approach to planning, tracking and reporting in Agile, which provides:
Based on the standard Agile approach, ADAPT and CONTROL utilises the product backlog, relative estimates, velocity and burn-up charts to provide incremental plans, iteration plans, milestones and measure variance.
Projects will always be subject to resource changes, be this ramp-up and ramp-down, holidays, sickness or natural attrition. Equally the output of the team will change as the project progresses. ADAPT and CONTROL takes account of these variances in both planning and reporting. This is particularly important in early iterations when an extrapolated low velocity would have a negative impact on team morale.
Incremental projects can carry uncertainty, which is removed as the solution is delivered. If uncertainties are not removed at the appropriate rate then standard Agile metrics become invalid indicators of progress. Our approach provides metrics for the measurement and tracking of functional and non-functional uncertainties.
Highly productive, focused Agile project teams are empowered to make strategic decisions quickly and efficiently. These can often have significant impact on the overall solution. It is essential that stakeholders beyond the immediate team have appropriate visibility of decisions and can provide direction and control, even where the outcome is positive. ADAPT and CONTROL provides clear reporting of change at strategic level to enable stakeholders to understand the project evolution and make informed decisions.
Importantly ADAPT and CONTROL enables a balance between the demand for control and the requirement for responsiveness of incremental delivery. An initial baseline is created against which the team can implement change within defined tolerances. Where change falls outside of these the change management process is invoked. This is essential for stakeholder control and visibility. Within the change management process, all changes are subject to value-based review.
Unlike other approaches, ADAPT and CONTROL enables project teams to plan delivery milestones, make firm commitments and report against variances to plan. Using a number of planning techniques the approach provides the level of confidence expected of waterfall-based projects without lengthy up-front analysis and design.
The reporting metrics within the approach are clear and concise and are presented through reporting templates which can be read and understood by non-technical staff.
The ADAPT and CONTROL approach builds upon standard Agile backlog management principles and therefore does not create additional unnecessary overhead for the project team. The tracking can be applied through of-the-shelf planning tools including Mingle and RallyDev.
IndigoBlue's external view of the programme allied to the Agile approach proved invaluable.
Today's highly competitive and rapidly changing markets that see the rise and fall of the likes of Nokia and MySpace places business imperatives on companies. In particular, companies need to be innovative, introducing new products, updating others to react to changes in the market (or predicting or even creating these market changes).