The document discusses using Agile methods for federal contracts and governance. It notes that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agile are not inherently in conflict, but interpretation of the FAR can be an issue. It provides examples of how fixed-price contracts can work with both Waterfall and Agile/Scrum methods. The document also discusses how Agile projects can fit within broad agency announcements, task orders, and earned value management requirements with some adjustments. Upcoming events and training related to Agile and federal contracting are listed.

1. AGILE AND
FEDERAL
GOVERNANCE

2. Background

3. CONTRACTS

4. The FAR and Agile are not in conflict
Biggest issue is in the interpretation of the FAR
image from http://saltytom.deviantart.com/art/The-Hippie-and-the-Soldier-108661881

5. Time and Materials
Cost Plus
Fixed Price

6. Fixed Price and Waterfall
1. Delivered on time and working as expected
2. “Delivered” on time … with issues
3. Cannot deliver on time, need to extend

7. Fixed Price and Agile/Scrum
1. Delivered on time and working as expected
2. The highest valued stories are delivered by
the requested date and working as expected

8. Missed Deadline?
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
Work Remaining
Project Due Date

9. Fixed Date / Fixed Scope
• Outcomes of Fixed Date / Fixed Scope projects:
o Waterfall
1. Delivered on time and working as expected
2. “Delivered” on time … with issues
3. Cannot deliver on time, need to extend
o Scrum
1. Delivered on time and working as expected
2. The highest valued stories are delivered by the
requested date and working as expected
• Do not sacrifice quality to meet dates

10. Agile and Federal Contracts
Agile Projects
Iteration 1 Iteration 2 Iteration 3 …..
BPA / IDIQ
Task Order 1 Task Order 2 Task Order 3 …..

11. Educate and empower the CO / COTR

12. EARNED VALUE
MANAGEMENT

13. Agile and EVM
• EVM is not inherently anti-Agile
• Problems
o Phase based on a waterfall SDLC
o Baselining
o Measurement of value

14. Agile and EVM
Req
Design
Dev
Release
QA
EVM Timeline
Development
Development
EVM Timeline
From this to this… Requirements
To this….Sprint 1
Sprint 2
Sprint 3
Sprint N
…
EVM Timeline

15. Upcoming Events
• 10/10 - ADAPT Breakfast Meeting – Lowering
Contracting Barriers to Agile Methods in Government
o http://www.afei.org/events/4A20/Pages/default.as
px
• 11/20 – 11/22 - ADAPT / SEI Agile for Government
Summit – Incremental, Modular, Scalable and Agile
o http://www.afei.org/events/4A01/Pages/default.as
px

16. Upcoming Training
• 10/21 – 10/22 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• 10/24 – 10/25 Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• 11/14 – Agile Business Intelligence and Data Warehouse
• 11/18 – 11/19 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• 12/16 – 12/17 Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• 12/19 – 12/20 Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
• 1/22 – 1/24 Certified Scrum Developer (CSD)
See http://excella.eventbrite.com/ for details and
registration. Contact richard.cheng@excella.com for
discount codes.

17. Contact Information
Richard K Cheng
richard.cheng@excella.com
703-967-8620
http://www.excella.com
Twitter: @RichardKCheng