Integrating Agile and the Systems V-Model: Proposing a Hybrid Solution

Abstract

This study introduces an Agile Hybrid model that combines the Agile and Systems V philosophies for product development initiatives. Agile frameworks thrive in environments that offer supportive iterative development, continuous integration, and incremental delivery. The current literature introduces existing Agile Hybrid models, but they are presented only at a conceptual level. This leaves practitioners without clear direction on how to implement an Agile Hybrid framework in a complex, real-world scenario. Based on research and practitioner experience, the findings show that the primary challenges are executive understanding and communication links, cultural resistance, management of hardware integration, integration methods, and backlog management. Executives have reported feeling that planning is incomplete when using Agile. This proposed Agile V model provides a practitioner-centric approach to improving these challenges. The models consist of two main components. First, an Agile V Overlay—an Agile/Systems V visual roadmap that aligns Sprints to Gates and ties executive leadership's interests to the development team's work evolution— can be used for both project planning and execution. Secondly, a Comprehensive Adaptive Backlog (CAB) is an artefact repository that contains all engineering- and programmatic-type artefacts typically required for new product development initiatives. The CAB ties work artefacts to Sprints and to the Systems V gate review. Combined, the Overlay and CAB provide tools to help Project Managers and Engineering Managers plan and execute complex product development projects in a highly regulated environment. The goal is to provide tools that enable design evolution while maintaining a systematic, gated approach that supports regulatory compliance. The authors have conducted initial interviews with industry practitioners, which have yielded positive results for the model's utility. Practitioner feedback has been incorporated to fine-tune the model and improve its alignment with real-world applications. Future research will adopt a mixed-methods approach, including interviews with industry practitioners to continue validating the Agile V model.