# Agile in Small Teams

- Show: [The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast)
- Published: 2021-10-26
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams
- Listen: https://agileembeddedpodcast.com/episodes/agile-in-small-teams-yWdrX_50

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=0) Introduction: Agile for Small Teams and Solo Devs
- [0:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=51) Agile Principles vs. Methodologies and Ceremonies
- [2:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=148) The Role of Automation and Feedback Loops
- [7:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=439) Characteristics of Small Teams and Solo Consultants
- [14:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=899) Budgeting, Trust, and Spec-Driven Contracts
- [21:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=1263) Technical Practices: Automation and Documentation
- [30:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=1832) Challenges in Contract Development and Sales
- [36:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-10-26-agile-in-small-teams#t=2202) Conclusion: Trust and Human Interaction

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Agile Embedded Podcast (other)
- Pragmatic Embedded Slack (other)
- Embedded AI podcast (other)
- Jira (tool)
- Confluence (tool)
- Terraform (tool)
- Ansible (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [440: Condemned to Being Perfect](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-01-13-440-condemned-to-being-perfect) (Embedded.fm)
- [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)
- [Agile + 20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-07-27-agile-20) (Oxide and Friends)
- [109: Resurrection of Extreme Programming (Repeat)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-10-12-109-resurrection-of-extreme-programming-repeat) (Embedded.fm)
- [AI Tooling with Matt Liberty and Luke Beno](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-04-23-ai-tooling-with-matt-liberty-and-luke-beno) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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