Agile
Makpar utilizes Agile methods like Scrum, Kanban, and Lean development. Our Agile practice minimizes communication gaps between Development and Operations teams by expanding DevOps-based automation to the entire development lifecycle. We employ a culture of collaboration, shared decision-making, and accountability. We support contingency planning and management, identification of potential risks and their mitigations, and performance testing of identified recovery processes.
Proven Experience & Expertise
We use an Agile software development approach to coordinate infrastructure transition and application development efforts. Prototypes increase stakeholder engagement, transparency, early delivery, user/customer satisfaction, and higher-quality software. Makpar implements an Agile, CMMI Maturity Level 3/ISO 9001: 2015 program management approach on its projects.
Transitioning Federal agencies to an Agile model has its own unique challenges, but once overcome, the rewards are numerous.
Expert Experience
We're well-versed in Agile development for federal agencies. For the IRS, we successfully transitioned the enterprisewide security system to the Agile planned maintenance path and transformed testing and cybersecurity activities to fit the Agile delivery model.
Proven Process
Our Agile process is comprised of a multi-level approach. We begin with establishing an ICAM Community of Practice (CoP). This involves collaborative sessions to build consensus toward cohesive enterprise wide ICAM solutions. This enables us to collect valuable feedback that will be used to determine deployment priorities and user needs.
We then establish testing, which takes place without disrupting current federal government production environments, and lead hands-on training for the team. Through the process, we engage and refine technical requirements before product or capability selection.
Value-Add Growth
We measure consistent value of Agile through improved productivity over time. Using metrics such as velocity across releases, transition points completed, and cross-functional excellence, we ensure that our clients are set up for success.
How we address the pain points of transitioning from waterfall to Agile:
Scale up
We have experience using cloud-based architecture to support auto-scaling, which we used to transition the largest digital identification/management system in the country for the IRS, supporting over 19M users currently with plans targeted at 120M taxpayers.
Optimize Velocity
Increasing sprint velocity, the amount of work done during each sprint, is a priority for us at Makpar. Staying Agile means continuously finding ways to improve the velocity of each sprint.
We do this by focusing on building consistency and quality, rather than speed. This includes evaluating the most useful metrics for valuable insights, managing risks ahead of time, streamlining testing, and cross-training teams for peak effectiveness.
Share resources
As Agile velocity increases, and project needs expand, an important step in the maturation process is to understand how to share resources between Scrum teams to continue to optimize efficiency.
We do this through a few methods. One is by coordinating through tools such as kanban boards and daily meetings so resources can be used effectively each day, hour to hour, as needed. Another is by training teams to be cross-functional, meaning that each Scrum team has all the necessary skills to self-organize and complete all functionality needed. These teams deliver products iteratively and incrementally, to maximize opportunities for feedback and implementing changes.
More Insights on Agile Transformation from the Makpar Blog:
