Achieving Continuous Delivery for Government Agencies

Introduction

In the dynamic landscape of govtech, establishing an efficient and effective process to build and deploy software is paramount. Continuous delivery (CD) is a critical component to significantly enhance organizational performance, reduce risk, and foster innovation. This blog delves into the value of continuous delivery, addressing common pitfalls and outlining the necessary steps to successfully implement this approach.

The Imperative of Continuous Delivery

Continuous delivery is the practice of ensuring the rapid, reliable release of software at any time. It involves the automation of testing and deployment processes, allowing for quick validation of changes and rapid feedback. In government organizations, where strategic planning and long-term projects are the norm, CD offers an effective way to align development efforts with mission goals.

Overcoming Organizational Anti-Patterns

A prevalent anti-pattern in government agencies is the overemphasis on planning and alignment activities without having the foundational capability to deliver software to production. This often leads to what is known as the "alignment trap," where organizations devote extensive resources to planning, but the delivery of real software to real users lags. This trap results in wasted efforts and missed opportunities.

The Role of Continuous Delivery in Risk Management

Contrary to the misconception that CD requires organizations to accept more risk or be less risk averse, CD actually reduces overall project risk. Without CD, projects accumulate exponential risk over time. By implementing CD, organizations can frequently validate or invalidate their assumptions, bringing risk down to zero with each deployment. This iterative approach not only reduces long-term risk but also fosters innovation by supporting more calculated risks upfront.

Avoiding the Alignment Trap

The alignment trap occurs when organizations focus on alignment before establishing efficacy. This often happens in scaled agile frameworks where there are more architects than developers and the process becomes the product. To avoid this, government agencies should prioritize establishing continuous delivery. Even delivering a minimal viable product or a simple application can lay the groundwork for rapid feedback loops and iterative improvements.

The Economics of Continuous Delivery

A case study from Maersk illustrates the economic benefits of CD. In a project with 73 requirements, three features accounted for over 80% of the overall cost of delay. By employing CD, Maersk was able to deliver these critical features quickly, realizing significant cost savings. This principle applies equally to government projects, where timely delivery of critical features can yield substantial benefits.

Steps to Achieving Continuous Delivery

1. Platform as a Service (PaaS): Establishing a robust PaaS is a prerequisite for successful CD. A PaaS provides out-of-the-box infrastructure, reducing the development and operational burden on teams. It also ensures compliance with government regulations like FSMA and RMF by pre-implementing many required controls.
2. Path to Production: Beyond pipelines, a comprehensive path to production includes building quality and security into the development and deployment processes. Shifting security left—integrating security measures early in the development process—ensures that development teams can meet compliance requirements without slowing delivery.
3. Application Development: High-quality application development is essential. This involves having skilled developers who can leverage the PaaS and path to production effectively. Balanced teams should start small, including product designers, engineers, and architects to ensure alignment with mission goals.

Conclusion

Continuous delivery is a transformative practice that can significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of government software projects. Implementing CD involves a strategic approach to platform development, establishing robust paths to production, and ensuring high-quality application development. By reducing risk, avoiding the alignment trap, and focusing on rapid, iterative delivery, government agencies can achieve their mission-critical goals more effectively. 

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Thumbnail Image Caption: U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Urich Garcia, 45th Security Forces Squadron supra coder, writes code in an application, April 25, 2022, at Patrick Space Force Base, Fla. Supra coders are Airmen and Guardians who perform duties developing, managing, and designing software for the United States Space Force. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samuel Becker)