agile
What It Means
Agile is a way of building software in small, working pieces that can be delivered quickly and adjusted based on user feedback. Instead of spending months planning everything upfront and delivering one big final product, teams work in short cycles (usually 2-4 weeks) to create functional features that users can test immediately. The approach prioritizes flexibility, collaboration, and responding to change over rigid planning and documentation.
Why Chief AI Officers Care
For AI projects, agile methodology is critical because AI development is inherently experimental - you often don't know what will work until you test it with real data and users. Agile allows AI teams to quickly pivot when models don't perform as expected, incorporate new data sources, or adjust to changing business requirements without wasting months of development effort. It also helps demonstrate AI value to stakeholders faster through working prototypes rather than lengthy research phases.
Real-World Example
A retail company's AI team uses agile to build a recommendation engine by first delivering a basic version that suggests products based on purchase history within 3 weeks, then adding features like seasonal preferences, inventory levels, and price sensitivity in subsequent 2-week sprints, adjusting the model based on actual customer click-through rates and sales data after each release.
Common Confusion
Many people think agile means 'no planning' or 'chaotic development,' but it actually requires disciplined planning in shorter cycles with clear goals for each sprint. It's also often confused with simply working fast - agile is about working iteratively and adaptively, not just quickly.
Industry-Specific Applications
See how this term applies to healthcare, finance, manufacturing, government, tech, and insurance.
Healthcare: In healthcare, agile methodology enables rapid development and deployment of clinical software, electronic health record...
Finance: In finance, agile methodologies enable rapid development and deployment of financial applications, trading systems, and ...
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Includes:
- 6 industry-specific applications
- Relevant regulations by sector
- Real compliance scenarios
- Implementation guidance
Technical Definitions
NISTNational Institute of Standards and Technology
"a development approach that delivers software in increments by following the principles of the Manifesto for Agile Software Development."Source: Gartner
"A philosophy and methodology used to describe the continuous, iterative process to develop and deliver software and other digital technologies. User requirements and feedback inform incremental development and delivery by developers."Source: NSCAI
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