# Agile is Old-Fashioned Engineering

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2021-03-30
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering-daRAZLP9

## Summary

Jeff Gable and Luca argue that Agile is not a new software fad but rather 'old-fashioned engineering' principles like rapid prototyping and feedback loops that have always existed in fields like aeronautics. They cite Lockheed Skunk Works and the Apollo program as historical examples of iterative development, contrasting them with the 'waterfall' illusion often forced onto embedded systems. The hosts discuss how embedded teams can apply these principles by decoupling software and hardware iteration cycles through hardware abstraction layers and simulators to reduce friction.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=0) Introduction: Agile as Old-Fashioned Engineering
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=138) The Software Crisis and Lockheed Skunk Works
- [5:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=344) The Waterfall Illusion in Medical Devices
- [13:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=781) Requirements Engineering and the Apollo Program
- [15:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=951) The 5-Minute Bridge Prototype Metaphor
- [18:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=1128) Decoupling Software and Hardware Iteration
- [24:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering#t=1469) Hardware Abstraction and Management Support

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Lockheed Skunk Works (company)
- SR 71 (product)
- F 117 (product)
- Agile Manifesto (other)
- FDA (other)
- Apollo Space Program (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [16: Democracy Is the Worst Form of Government](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-08-28-16-democracy-is-the-worst-form-of-government) (Embedded.fm)
- [440: Condemned to Being Perfect](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-01-13-440-condemned-to-being-perfect) (Embedded.fm)
- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-05-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer) (Embedded.fm)
- [#010 - How to think like Elon Musk - Scrum for Hardware, with Joe Justice of WIKISPEED and Scrum Inc, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-01-25-010-how-to-think-like-elon-musk-scrum-for-hardware-with-joe-justice-of-wikispeed) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-03-30-agile-is-old-fashioned-engineering. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast.