Case Study

Data Analytics and Scaled Agile Implementation

The Enterprise Data and Application Modernization Initiative (EDAMI) is a critical program within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) focused on modernizing IT infrastructure, applications, and data management systems. With an increasing demand for real-time, data-driven decision-making, FEMA faced challenges due to aging legacy systems that were inefficient and not designed to support modern emergency management needs. Wilco Group was engaged to support the EDAMI program in streamlining processes, implementing SAFe Agile practices, enhancing product value measurement, improving system performance, and ultimately strengthening FEMA’s disaster response capabilities.

Key Challenges

Complex and Distributed Teams
Large-Scale Program with Multiple Dependencies
Cultural Shift to Product Management and Agile
Dynamic and Evolving Requirements
Ensuring Alignment with Strategic Objectives
Resource and Funding Constraints

Formation of ARTs: Each ART included developers, security experts, data analysts, and stakeholders from FEMA Regional Offices, ensuring a holistic and collaborative approach to decision-making.
Continuous Communication: Daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives were implemented to maintain continuous communication and progress tracking.
Using SAFe Metrics to Ensure Strategic Alignment Wilco Group implemented SAFe Agile metrics via Jira and Confluence dashboards to track performance and alignment with FEMA’s strategic goals.
Feature Completion and Value Delivered: Measured contributions of completed features toward FEMA’s mission.
Program Velocity: Tracked ARTs’ workload and adjusted resources accordingly.
Business Outcomes: Assessed the impact of agile adoption on FEMA’s disaster response capabilities.

Our Approach

SAFe Agile Framework Selection and Customization The SAFe Scaled Agile framework was chosen due to its structured approach to scaling agile across large organizations. Working with FEMA’s Product Management Branch (PMB) leadership, Wilco Group’s agile coaches and consultants customized SAFe to meet the EDAMI program’s unique needs.
Team Structure: Cross-functional Agile Release Trains (ARTs) were established, integrating IT, data, operations, and security personnel. ARTs collaborated on cloud migration, data modernization, and other key projects to ensure coordinated progress.
Planning Interval (PI) Planning: Teams engaged in structured PI planning every 10-12 weeks, ensuring alignment on objectives and a direct contribution to FEMA’s goals.
Continuous Integration and Delivery: The adoption of continuous integration and delivery pipelines facilitated incremental software releases, allowing FEMA to deliver value faster and improve continuously based on feedback.
Training and Coaching for Agile Transformation To embed the agile mindset across FEMA, Wilco Group deployed an experienced agile coach with SAFe SPC and PMI-ACP certifications. Key training initiatives included.
SAFe Certification: FEMA team members received SAFe certifications, enabling them to implement agile practices effectively.
Leadership Coaching: Executives were coached on managing large-scale agile transformations, ensuring alignment with agile principles and fostering a collaborative culture.
Building Cross-Functional Collaboration Wilco Group facilitated structural changes to improve collaboration across teams.
Formation of ARTs: Each ART included developers, security experts, data analysts, and stakeholders from FEMA Regional Offices, ensuring a holistic and collaborative approach to decision-making.
Continuous Communication: Daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives were implemented to maintain continuous communication and progress tracking.
Using SAFe Metrics to Ensure Strategic Alignment Wilco Group implemented SAFe Agile metrics via Jira and Confluence dashboards to track performance and alignment with FEMA’s strategic goals.
Feature Completion and Value Delivered: Measured contributions of completed features toward FEMA’s mission.
Program Velocity: Tracked ARTs’ workload and adjusted resources accordingly.
Business Outcomes: Assessed the impact of agile adoption on FEMA’s disaster response capabilities.

SAFe Agile Framework Selection and Customization The SAFe Scaled Agile framework was chosen due to its structured approach to scaling agile across large organizations. Working with FEMA’s Product Management Branch (PMB) leadership, Wilco Group’s agile coaches and consultants customized SAFe to meet the EDAMI program’s unique needs.
Team Structure: Cross-functional Agile Release Trains (ARTs) were established, integrating IT, data, operations, and security personnel. ARTs collaborated on cloud migration, data modernization, and other key projects to ensure coordinated progress.
Planning Interval (PI) Planning: Teams engaged in structured PI planning every 10-12 weeks, ensuring alignment on objectives and a direct contribution to FEMA’s goals.
Continuous Integration and Delivery: The adoption of continuous integration and delivery pipelines facilitated incremental software releases, allowing FEMA to deliver value faster and improve continuously based on feedback.
Training and Coaching for Agile Transformation To embed the agile mindset across FEMA, Wilco Group deployed an experienced agile coach with SAFe SPC and PMI-ACP certifications. Key training initiatives included.
SAFe Certification: FEMA team members received SAFe certifications, enabling them to implement agile practices effectively.
Leadership Coaching: Executives were coached on managing large-scale agile transformations, ensuring alignment with agile principles and fostering a collaborative culture.
Building Cross-Functional Collaboration Wilco Group facilitated structural changes to improve collaboration across teams.

Results

Improved Delivery Speed and Flexibility:
- The EDAMI program reduced time-to-delivery for FEMADex, allowing faster ingestion of datasets and enhanced customer experiences.
- Frequent feature releases ensured responsiveness to evolving requirements.
Enhanced Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- ARTs and agile practices improved interdepartmental coordination, eliminating silos and ensuring a unified effort toward FEMA’s goals.
Better Alignment with Strategic Goals:
- Quarterly PI planning sessions and strategic reviews ensured that agile efforts directly supported FEMA’s core mission of disaster response, recovery, and mitigation.
Improved Risk Management:
- Agile practices enabled early risk identification and proactive mitigation strategies.
Increased Stakeholder Satisfaction:
- Regular reviews and iterative feedback cycles kept federal, state, and local emergency management agencies engaged and informed.

Conclusion

The implementation of SAFe Agile and product management practices within FEMA’s EDAMI program has been a transformative success. Wilco Group’s strategic agile approach facilitated IT modernization, enhanced collaboration, accelerated delivery, and ensured alignment with FEMA’s disaster management mission. By embracing a scalable agile framework, the EDAMI Program now operates with greater efficiency, adaptability, and effectiveness in supporting national emergency response efforts.