Fast Development, Furious Sustainment: 3 Questions for Continuous Evolution

• Podcast
Our latest podcast explores the shift from depot activation to continuous evolution of technical baselines to avoid risky software sustainment paths.
Publisher

Software Engineering Institute

DOI (Digital Object Identifier)
10.58012/ne10-6323

Listen

Abstract

Major software acquisition programs face pressure to meet delivery milestones. Far too often, by the time program leaders turn their attention to sustainment, the window for strategic decision making has closed and the program is locked into costlier and riskier paths.

Drawing on lessons from a recent technical engagement, the latest episode in the SEI Podcast Series explores how software sustainment programs could benefit from an approach that shifts the emphasis from depot activation to the continuous evolution and management of technical baselines. Eileen Wrubel, technical director for smart software acquisition at the SEI, is joined by Brigid O’Hearn, the SEI’s Department of War software modernization policy lead, and Kevin Dooley, a senior Agile transformation leader, to discuss this latest technical engagement as well as three critical questions that help avoid the sustainment trap.

About the Speaker

Headshot of Brigid O'Hearn.

Brigid O'Hearn

Brigid Petrie O’Hearn is a principal engineer and DoD Software Modernization Policy Lead at the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI). In her work at the Software Solutions Division’s Transforming Software Acquisition Policy and Practice Directorate, she coaches and mentors software acquisition program personnel, contributes to research projects, and …

Read more
Headshot of Kevin Dooley.

Kevin Dooley

Kevin Dooley is a principal engineer and Technical Lead for the Rapid Capabilities Office project work plan at the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute (SEI). In his work at the Software Solutions Division’s Transforming Smart Software Acquisition directorate, he coaches and mentors software acquisition program personnel, contributes to research …

Read more
Headshot of Eileen Wrubel.

Eileen Wrubel

Eileen Wrubel is the technical director of the Smart Software Acquisition Directorate at Carnegie Mellon University’s Software Engineering Institute. She is responsible for coordinating the strategic planning and tactical execution of the SEI's initiatives to power bolder, faster, and more adaptive acquisition, modernization, and sustainment of software-enabled capability. Her directorate …

Read more