Case Study: Success with Agile Project Management in General Dynamics
The Combat Identification Server (CIdS) Technology Demonstrator Project (TDP) has been delivered on time, with quality and budget parameters using the Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM). CIdS is a complex system and software project. The objective is to help clear "the fog of war" by providing a picture in the cockpit of an aircraft of the position of nearby friendly forces on the ground. The selection of DSDM for the CIdS TDP was motivated by the Tactical Datalinks Delivery Team's (TDL DT) objective to demonstrate that complex military technologies could be delivered without delay or cost overrun. The use of DSDM was a bold move, but the CIdS project delivered successful outcomes for all involved. In the current economic environment, delivering acceptable solutions on time and at a fixed cost is surely a priority for the Ministry of Defense (MoD). The success of the CIdS project has provided a good example for the project management in the defense sector.
Write a five to six (5-6) page paper in which you:
- Identify and analyze the reasons why the agile framework has been selected to use in this project.
- Identify the business problems the project team tried to solve and analyze how they applied the agile project management techniques to ensure the project was delivered on time, on budget with good quality.
- Give your opinion if you agree with the approach identified in Question 2. Justify your response.
- Analyze how the project teams and coaches master the agile methodology to solve business problems. Highlight the one that you believe is the most effective and support your answer.
- Give your opinion if the agile approach produced more business benefits than a traditional project management approach.
- Give your opinion on the roles of an agile coach in this case and if the coach is critical to the success of the project. Support your answer.