Homeland Security Adopts Agile, Cloud to Improve EfficiencyThe US Department of Homeland Security has been charged with changing the way it handles IT operations. The agency is improving quality and cutting costs by implementing agile methods and employing cloud services, platform-as-a-service, and software-as-a-service.
FedRAMP—Securing the Cloud Data Center Federal StyleIn its continuing support of widespread federal cloud adoption, the US General Services Administration recently rolled out a security certification program, called the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) for public cloud data centers and service providers.
VA Announces $9 Million Open Source Development ContestThe Department of Veterans Affairs wants to improve the system veterans currently use to schedule appointments in the VA's nationwide health program by moving to an open source system. To inspire more innovative solutions, the VA has launched the VA Medical Appointment Scheduling System Contest.
Sluggish Economy Pushes US Government toward Agile DevelopmentFacing massive budgetary problems, IT departments scattered across numerous US government agencies have turned to agile-based development practices in hopes of saving money and streamlining the development process. Learn how agile is truly adoptable at all project levels.
January Software RoundupIn this software roundup, we learn that Maryland and Pennsylvania are using software to prevent murders, new software shown at the Consumer Electronics Show underwhelmed some prominent tech pundits, and the Department of Homeland Security recommended disabling Java for a security exploit.
Why the Product Owner's Role Is EvolvingDue to the popularity of Scrum, the idea of having a product owner has taken hold of development professionals and is used by teams that are not even using Scrum. With this industry-wide adoption, the definition of product ownership and the product owner's role has evolved.
Urging of Social Media Heeded in Hurricane Sandy’s WakeAs Hurricane Sandy tore its way up the East Coast, many people turned to social media platforms to post pictures, updates, and statuses to the world around them. The U.S. government suggested doing this as the storm approached and spread their message through the same channels.
The Growth of Agile in GovernmentSteve Berczuk analyzes a US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, released in July 2012, on agile software development in government projects, and finds that the report's recommendations could apply equally well to a small technology company adopting agile.
