YAACs Learn the Value of Agility

In September, the chapter's Young AFCEANs hosted a Business Over Breakfast seminar featuring guest speaker William Walski, lead scrum master, Array Information Technology Inc., at the Hilton Garden Inn in Montgomery, Alabama. Walski discussed agility versus rigidity in shaping the development environment. He opened by explaining how agile development differs from traditional waterfall development. For example the waterfall methodology puts a lot of value in the planning upfront, while the agile methodology is about taking measured risks that are influenced by customer needs. The advantage to taking small measured risks is the understanding that some will fail, but the impact of failure will be smaller and the team will learn from them. Walski emphasized that part of the problem is these small failures leading to future success rarely get support. This is a cultural problem within management and teams that needs to be addressed. Getting through the failures and seeing the success is what will change the culture in the long run. Following the presentation, Walski conducted a brief question and answer session, and audience members networked.