I really don't like self promotion for the simple reason that it diminishes the credibility of the promoter. But our inside sales suggested I do this.
The presentation Successfully Integrating Agile and Earned Value got recognized this week as being talked about on LinkedIn more than anything else on SlideShare right now.
So What? Who Cares?
There is still a huge way to go to "connect the dots" between Agile and Earned Value. From the NDAA Section 804 efforts to correcting the mis-informed messages about how Earned Value works in software development.
This includes:
- Connecting iterations with Work Packages on monthly or bi-monthly boundaries
- Using physical percent complete in agile as the same physical percent complete in EV
- Using Planning Packages as future iteration place holders
The reason for this is simple and complex at the same time. In the government procurement domain, Earned Value is mandated by FAR 34.2, FAR 52.234-4, and DFAR 252.234-7002. Those in the commercial world could care less. But in fact as citizens they should. The IT budget for the US DoD is something like $87B. The NDAA Section 804 initiative is attempting to introduce concepts like Making Acquisition Measurable.
When there is discussion of "scaling" agile beyond the small to medium projects, here's an opportunity to actually do it, in a highly visible and controlled manner.
Another example is "in the news" CIOs Site Trouble With Agile Development. And Improving the Initiation of Acquisition Activites for Automated Information Systems.