440: Condemned to Being Perfect

Embedded.fm · 13 Jan 2023 · 1h 23m · Episode 440

What this episode covers

Elecia White and Chris White host a crossover episode with Jeff Gable and Luca Ingianni of the Agile Embedded podcast to debate the application of Agile principles to embedded systems. The group discusses redefining Agile as 'risk management through feedback loops' rather than rigid Scrum, and explores the challenges of scaling these practices in large enterprises versus small teams. They also tackle specific technical debates, including the role of unit testing, the definition of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) for hardware, and the necessity of documentation in regulated industries like medical devices.

Mentioned

Companies
Lockheed, Leapfrog, Fitbit, Cisco, Logical Elegance
Products
SR-71
Also
Agile Embedded podcast, Skunk Works, SAFe, FDA, O'Reilly, Embedded.fm

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 1h 23m

    Crossover with Elecia White and Christopher White of Embedded

    Elecia White and Christopher White of Embedded.fm join Jeff Gable and Luca Ingiani to discuss applying agile principles to embedded systems, emphasizing risk management and fast feedback loops over rigid methodologies. They debate the definitions of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and prototypes, noting that while software allows for rapid iteration, physical products require careful consideration of shelf-life and Bill of Materials (BOM) costs. The group also addresses the practical challenges of unit testing in embedded development, suggesting it be reserved for high-risk, high-churn code rather than stable drivers, and discusses how to pitch agile concepts to skeptical managers by focusing on risk reduction rather than process dogma.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 40m

    Does DevOps Make Sense for Embedded Systems?

    Jeff Gable and Luca Engeni discuss why DevOps and Agile principles are essential for embedded systems, particularly in safety-critical industries like medical devices and aerospace. They argue that while hardware iteration is slower than software, fixed cadences for PCB releases can still accelerate feedback loops. The conversation highlights the shift toward over-the-air updates, using Tesla as a case study for the new safety challenges introduced by connected vehicles.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 43m

    2024 christmas special

    Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca Eden reflect on three years of The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast, highlighting guests like Miro Slavic, John Odo, and Luca Mustafa who pushed specific technical and process boundaries. They discuss the disconnect between senior engineers seeking agile change and managers resistant to the hard work required for true transformation. The conversation emphasizes that successful embedded development requires breaking the 'Iron Triangle' of fixed scope, time, and budget by prioritizing core functionality and asking difficult questions about deadlines.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 39m

    Agile in Small Teams

    Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca Gable discuss whether agile methodologies are suitable for small teams and solo developers in embedded systems. They argue that while specific ceremonies like daily stand-ups may be unnecessary, core principles such as short feedback loops and automation remain critical. The conversation highlights the challenges of working in contract development firms with rigid, spec-driven contracts and emphasizes that trust between developers and customers is the foundation of successful agile adoption.

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 39m

    Christmas Special

    Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca share war stories from their careers in embedded systems, highlighting the pain of manual testing in helicopter avionics, the chaos of managing requirements with Word and Excel in Dropbox for medical devices, and the technical debt of massive #ifdef blocks in legacy machine tool software. They discuss the industry's slow adoption of modern software practices like version control and CI/CD, contrasting embedded development with web development standards. The episode concludes with book recommendations including 'The Phoenix Project' and 'Team Topologies', and reflections on the future of IoT security and agile adoption in hardware.

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