Governance in Disciplined Agile

Governance in Disciplined Agile represents a thoughtful approach to guiding, directing, and supporting teams while ensuring they align with organizational objectives. Unlike traditional governance which can be control-focused, DA governance emphasizes enablement and value delivery. At its core, DA governance focuses on maximizing value flow while minimizing unnecessary constraints. It recognizes that different situations require different approaches, embracing context-specific strategies rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions. Key aspects of DA governance include: 1. Lightweight yet effective oversight: Providing just enough guidance to ensure quality and compliance while allowing teams autonomy. 2. Risk-based approach: Applying appropriate governance based on situation complexity and risk levels. 3. Goal-driven: Focusing on outcomes rather than prescribing specific techniques. 4. Continuous improvement: Regular retrospectives to enhance governance processes themselves. 5. Integrated compliance: Building compliance into everyday work rather than as separate activities. Governance manifests through several mechanisms in DA environments: - Portfolio management aligning work with strategic priorities - Collaborative architecture ensuring technical coherence - IT operations governance ensuring reliable service delivery - Data governance managing information assets responsibly - Financial governance ensuring responsible resource allocation - Vendor governance managing external partnerships effectively DA governance operates at multiple levels: team, program, portfolio, and enterprise. Each level has appropriate practices that provide sufficient guardrails while maximizing flexibility. The DA mindset shifts governance from command-and-control to collaborative enablement. It's about creating an environment where teams can succeed while meeting organizational objectives. This balance between freedom and guidance helps organizations respond effectively to change while maintaining appropriate controls.

Governance in Disciplined Agile represents a thoughtful approach to guiding, directing, and supporting teams while ensuring they align with organizational objectives. Unlike traditional governance wh…

Concepts covered: Tailored Governance Strategies, Dynamic Governance, Enterprise Awareness, Lightweight Milestones, Agile Metrics and Measurements, Lightweight Governance, Context-Sensitive Governance, Risk-Value Lifecycle, Guardrails