# How to Convince Management to Adopt Agile

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2021-04-14
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile-TdZB4QLb

## Summary

Hosts Jeff Gable and Luca engineer discuss strategies for convincing management to adopt agile methodologies in embedded development, emphasizing that engineers should start with small, low-risk technical improvements like unit testing and continuous integration without asking for permission. They argue that demonstrating measurable ROI through reduced bug counts and faster release cycles, as well as mitigating project risk by prototyping early, is more effective than arguing for process changes directly. The conversation highlights how to navigate rigid, fixed-price contract environments by building credibility through technical excellence before attempting to influence client relationships or broader organizational processes.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=1) Introduction: Listener Question on Convincing Management
- [2:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=149) Starting Small: CI and Unit Testing Without Permission
- [8:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=533) Demonstrating ROI: Measuring Release Cycles and Bug Reduction
- [17:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=1068) Agile as Risk Management: Prototyping and Client Feedback
- [25:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=1550) Navigating Waterfall: Technical Agility Within Fixed Requirements
- [34:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-04-14-how-to-convince-management-to-adopt-agile#t=2088) Conclusion: Building Credibility and Contact Information

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Jeff Gable (other)
- Luca engineer (other)
- Joel Spolsky (other)
- Jenkins (tool)
- GitLab (tool)
- Vim (tool)
- Emacs (tool)
- FDA (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)
- [Agile + 20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-07-27-agile-20) (Oxide and Friends)
- [#064 - To transform or not to transform your hardware company to an all agile one next year, with Balint Horvath, Switzerland](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2018-11-21-064-to-transform-or-not-to-transform-your-hardware-company-to-an-all-agile-one-n) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [199: Petri Dishes of Doom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-05-10-199-petri-dishes-of-doom) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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