How AI will Affect Your Agile Program: What You Need to Know
by Nate Amidon
May 11, 2023
As an agile coach, I know that every software development organization wants to increase the value delivered through the development process. AI is a powerful tool that can increase your team's efficiency. But what does this mean for your organization? And are you ready to handle the increased feedback loop?
First, let's look at the benefits. AI will allow engineers to write code faster, designers to create redlines faster, and product owners to write requirements faster. All aspects of the software development program will increase in speed. However, if your organization can't handle this increase in output then you may not realize the full benefits.
Imagine a car with standard components including the engine, steering, brakes, and the frame. If you add a new more powerful engine, and the other components of your car can’t handle the increase in performance, then it’ll be dangerous to drive. This is similar to AI enhancements on your software development program. Your organization needs to prepare now to better absorb the increase in output from your team or you'll miss the benefits and be left behind.
Here are a few things to consider:
Product Management Practices Will Become Critical
Speed doesn't matter if you're heading in the wrong direction. I sometimes wonder if companies benefit by not being able to complete and deliver a bad idea. With increased speed, they may end up delivering really bad ideas much faster. In our analogy, it's like the steering wheel isn't capable of handling the increase engine speed. The delivery speed associated with AI will highlight the need for post-delivery monitoring of features. How do you know if you built the right thing? Do you know who your customer is and do you have user personas? If Epics become Features, and Features become stories, what does that look like? What if your team completed 5 Features in a sprint instead of completing 5 User Stories in a sprint? Could your organization handle that? Product management practices will become critical to ensure you're going in the right direction.
Continuous Delivery Process
Differences in delivery processes will be amplified in the market. If your organization isn't comfortable releasing features, those that do will have a competitive advantage. If you require manual QA of all new Features, can you absorb a doubling of development? Think about it from a lean six-sigma perspective – you're only as fast as your slowest step. So, is your entire process able to speed up? Is your organizational culture and process inadvertently putting a governor on the car? Your development organization will only go as fast as the internal processes allow it to...so make sure it can handle it!
The Company Distribution Curve Will Increase
Every technological change produces winners and losers. AI is going to be disruptive and those who adapt will succeed. Those that are able to absorb the increase will exponentially increase the value delivered, and those that don’t could conceivably get slower as the market changes faster than they can adapt. The differences between agile and non-agile organizations is already significant, and AI will exacerbate these differences in the market. What can you do to be on the winning side of the technology disruption?
Here are some steps you can take:
In times of rapid change strong leadership is essential. Those who can operate with massive change will lead their organizations and teams to succeed. AI is a game-changer, and you don't want to be left behind.
May 11, 2023
As an agile coach, I know that every software development organization wants to increase the value delivered through the development process. AI is a powerful tool that can increase your team's efficiency. But what does this mean for your organization? And are you ready to handle the increased feedback loop?
First, let's look at the benefits. AI will allow engineers to write code faster, designers to create redlines faster, and product owners to write requirements faster. All aspects of the software development program will increase in speed. However, if your organization can't handle this increase in output then you may not realize the full benefits.
Imagine a car with standard components including the engine, steering, brakes, and the frame. If you add a new more powerful engine, and the other components of your car can’t handle the increase in performance, then it’ll be dangerous to drive. This is similar to AI enhancements on your software development program. Your organization needs to prepare now to better absorb the increase in output from your team or you'll miss the benefits and be left behind.
Here are a few things to consider:
Product Management Practices Will Become Critical
Speed doesn't matter if you're heading in the wrong direction. I sometimes wonder if companies benefit by not being able to complete and deliver a bad idea. With increased speed, they may end up delivering really bad ideas much faster. In our analogy, it's like the steering wheel isn't capable of handling the increase engine speed. The delivery speed associated with AI will highlight the need for post-delivery monitoring of features. How do you know if you built the right thing? Do you know who your customer is and do you have user personas? If Epics become Features, and Features become stories, what does that look like? What if your team completed 5 Features in a sprint instead of completing 5 User Stories in a sprint? Could your organization handle that? Product management practices will become critical to ensure you're going in the right direction.
Continuous Delivery Process
Differences in delivery processes will be amplified in the market. If your organization isn't comfortable releasing features, those that do will have a competitive advantage. If you require manual QA of all new Features, can you absorb a doubling of development? Think about it from a lean six-sigma perspective – you're only as fast as your slowest step. So, is your entire process able to speed up? Is your organizational culture and process inadvertently putting a governor on the car? Your development organization will only go as fast as the internal processes allow it to...so make sure it can handle it!
The Company Distribution Curve Will Increase
Every technological change produces winners and losers. AI is going to be disruptive and those who adapt will succeed. Those that are able to absorb the increase will exponentially increase the value delivered, and those that don’t could conceivably get slower as the market changes faster than they can adapt. The differences between agile and non-agile organizations is already significant, and AI will exacerbate these differences in the market. What can you do to be on the winning side of the technology disruption?
Here are some steps you can take:
- Map out your development process from idea to delivery.
- Invest in product management practices to ensure you're going in the right direction.
- Encourage AI adoption for your organization to stay ahead of the competition.
In times of rapid change strong leadership is essential. Those who can operate with massive change will lead their organizations and teams to succeed. AI is a game-changer, and you don't want to be left behind.