CI/CD, VSA, TBD, Oh My!

What is agile?

• Being able to respond to change quickly
• Pivoting
• Being able to outwit larger predators

Just because you are Agile doesn't mean you are agile

• Following an Agile framework doesn't grant those attributes
• Instead, you need to be intentional. Ask yourself what it means to be agile, and find ways to be closer to that
• Agile isn't necessarily the best strategy. You don't want to be agile building a rocket.
• Also see: Dream Paths | The Intelligent Rebel | Success is about Rules, not Money

agile tactics

• Conway's law teaches us to look at the structure of the organization - we may need to change it to become more agile
• Slice vertically rather than horizontally to increase cohesion and deliver change sooner
• Have everyone deploy straight to master to avoid integration issues.
• Use Feature Flags to branch - they are far more controllable and flexible than version control
• Remove any other gates (looking at you PRs!) to integrating several times a day to ensure everyone has access to the latest and greatest ideas and resources
• Deliver the code continuously to end customers. This makes them happy, forces a higher sense of quality, and helps to address fears of failure.
• Also see: Faster or Sooner | Shorten Feedback Cycles | Wait... this is risky, isn't it?

These are not the end all be all

• Tactics will change
• Strategies rarely do
• And... as always, context is king
• Also see: Outcome = (Strategy * Execution) ^ Luck | Today's Best Practice is Tomorrow's Legacy