Managing Resources in a DoD Space-based Agile/DevSecOps Program

Abstract

The University of Southern California’s Information Sciences Institute (USC/ISI), along with funding and the active support and engagement of the USAF and USSF, has undertaken a series of case studies focused on developing lessons learned and identifying best practices when agile and DevSecOps methodologies are introduced into the space-based software-only acquisition environment. A major focus of this research is discovering challenges and exploring solutions to managing resources throughout the agile/DevSecOps system development process. Such challenges include managing dependencies on external and internal systems; staff loading and specialties over the course of the program; the introduction of new capabilities; and the availability, collection, and analysis of performance metrics for improved situational awareness. It is important to efficiently manage a program as it progresses toward the later stages of the development effort. The stories and features with low resource demand typically are already completed by the later stages, leaving stories and features with high resource demand to be addressed late in the program.