The path to modernizing government IT has traditionally been marked by rigid processes and resistance to change. Yet, as agencies face increasingly complex challenges in artificial intelligence and machine learning operations, the need for more flexible, value-driven approaches becomes clear.
The key lies not in forcing enterprise-wide transformations, but in building collaborative partnerships with both customers and internal teams that embrace each organization’s unique needs.
“It’s about changing the mindset from managing projects to delivering products,” said Jessica Garrett, a SOSi Solutions Architect in the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. “Everything is a deliverable, but how we get there needs to be adaptable to each team’s specific circumstances.”
This philosophy recently proved successful in a government AI/ML operations program in Huntsville, Ala., where a customer-centric approach to Agile implementation yielded impressive results. Rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all framework, the implementation began with understanding the customer’s perspective and previous experiences with Agile methodologies.
“We started by asking the government team about their experience with Agile – what worked, what didn’t,” Garrett said. “People’s experiences influence how they react to change. Understanding their perspective helps us tailor our approach to their specific needs.”
This collaborative engagement style produced immediate benefits. The government stakeholders became active participants in shaping their transformation journey. They influenced work priorities and established delivery cadences that aligned with their operational needs.
“The customer was excited to have direct input in prioritizing the work,” Garrett said. “Instead of saying ‘all these things need to be done,’ they could focus on what’s most important for delivering value to their end users.”
The shift from project to product mindset is particularly crucial in government IT modernization. This approach emphasizes:
- Continuous value delivery through regular, predictable cycles
- Building a shared technical and operational language across teams
- Embracing incremental improvements over large-scale implementations
- Fostering innovation beyond basic requirement fulfillment
- Success in government IT transformation isn’t about the specific framework chosen —whether it’s Scrum, SAFe, or another methodology. Instead, it’s about creating an environment where teams can adapt processes to their unique circumstances while maintaining focus on delivering value to end users.
When implemented with careful attention to organizational culture and stakeholder needs, Agile methodologies can transform government IT from a requirements-driven environment to an innovative, value-focused operation.
