Incorporating Agile Methodologies into DoD Software Sustainment Operations

The DoD is increasingly employing agile methods in efforts to rapidly produce software. However, the specific domain of agile methodologies as applied to the sustainment of embedded systems remains in need of further research. One initial area examined here is the relationship between agile principles and the policies and practices used by DoD sustainment organizations. It is shown that current sustainment policy for the Air Force Sustainment Center is compatible with agile principles. Challenges specific to sustainment operations can be resolved through careful consideration of the scope and organizational levels at which agile principles and practices are implemented.