Is industrial Agility comparable to software developer Agility?

No. Industrial Agility requires deep adaptations to handle physical deliverables, multi-site and cross-functional teams, as well as integrated risk management, unlike purely software artefacts.

Why not apply IT Agile methods directly to industry?

The contexts are radically different. Industry has strong trade-specific constraints (physical deliverables, manufacturing lead times, regulatory standards) that require a specifically adapted hybrid version.

How do you convince leadership that industrial Agility is not an IT fad?

By presenting concrete results such as Airbus (-10% costs), by highlighting the industrial origin of the approach that accounts for physical constraints, and by showing documented sector references.

Do you still follow the Agile Manifesto?

The Agile Manifesto was written in 2001 for software developers. It is now considered outdated in demanding professional environments. SolidCreativity critiques it for its counter-productive effects on modern Agility.

Can you mix Agile with ISO 9001/13485 standards?

Yes, through adapted document management and the articulation between iterative cycles and quality audits. Integration with GMP and ISO 13485 is possible, as demonstrated by our references in the pharmaceutical sector.

What types of projects are suited to industrial Agility?

Non-predictive early stages, complex and innovative multi-site projects, and all cases where the V-model shows its limits in terms of flexibility and responsiveness.

Is Agility compatible with heavily regulated projects?

Yes, for example in pharma with GMP requirements. Iterative cycles can be adapted to audits while maintaining ISO 13485 compliance.

How do you adapt Agility to industrial subcontracting constraints?

Through contractualised supplier cycles, ultra-short technical check-ins (15-30 minutes) and a collaborative evaluation grid to maintain alignment.

How do you introduce Agility in a company?

Start with a pilot project accompanied by training, then progressively adapt the tools. Measure with concrete indicators such as lead times and review pass rates.

What budget should you plan for a first Agile experience in industrial R&D?

Budget EUR 5 to 10k for a pilot team. Return on investment typically comes within 3 to 6 months, measurable through reduced delays and improved review pass rates.

Do you need to hire a Scrum Master for industrial projects?

No, it is sufficient to train an existing project manager. The training takes just a few days and this approach has proven successful with clients such as ArcelorMittal.

What tools should you use for visual management in an industrial environment?

Excel spreadsheets combined with physical Post-it notes, a burn-down chart, and collaborative tools suited to multi-site teams.

Our senior engineers are sceptical. How do you convince them?

Through hands-on experimentation on a sub-project. A 2024 study shows that 90% of sceptics change their mind after trying the method, and often become active advocates.

Hardware Agility: definition, SolidScrum and differences with IT Scrum

Definition of Hardware Agility

Hardware Agility refers to the adaptation of agile methods to physical product development projects: medical devices, embedded electronics, mechanical engineering, robotics, aerospace, automotive, IoT.

Unlike Scrum applied to software, hardware agility takes into account the specific characteristics of industry:

Physical deliverables: proofs of concept, mock-ups, pre-series, tooling
Cross-functional teams: mechanical, electronics, embedded software, biology, chemistry
Regulatory constraints: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, GMP standards, DO-178, mandatory technical documentation
Multi-site development: design offices, workshops, subcontractors, suppliers
Iteration costs: machining, 3D printing, component orders, procurement lead times

The objective of Hardware Agility is to reduce time-to-market, improve collaboration between technical functions, and deliver products that meet customer needs whilst respecting quality and regulatory requirements.

Differences between IT Scrum and Hardware Agility

Scrum is not mandatory to be Agile in industry. Certain principles (short cycles, roles, rituals) can be useful, but their direct transposition from IT is often counter-productive. Here are the main differences:

IT Scrum (Software)

Cycle duration: 2-4 weeks
Validation criterion: code deployed, tests passed
Team: often single-project
Profiles: developers, testers, UX/UI
Synchronisation: easy rollback, Git branches
Standards: few regulatory constraints (except critical domains)
Typical deliverable: executable software, API, interface

Hardware Agility (Industry)

Cycle duration: adapted to industrial agile context
Validation criterion: demonstrable project progress
Team: often multi-project, multi-site
Profiles: mechanical, electronics, software, bio/chemistry...
Synchronisation: hybrid teams, cross-discipline coordination
Standards: ISO 9001, ISO 13485, GMP, DO-178, traceability
Typical deliverable: test report, risk assessment, proof of concept

Caution: it is a mistake to think that each hardware cycle must end with a physical object. The goal is real project progress, not mere indicators (“literature review done”, “material ordered”). Valid deliverables in non-IT agile and R&D project management include: test reports, risk assessments, technical validations, maturity levels achieved.

Our articles on Agility

SolidScrum: Scrum adapted to industry

SolidScrum is the method developed by SolidCreativity for applying Scrum to R&D and industrialisation projects. It integrates hardware-specific requirements and addresses the challenges of uncertain projects in early stages:

Adapted roles

Industrial Scrum Master: facilitates sprints, removes obstacles related to procurement, workshops, subcontractors
R&D Product Owner: defines product features, prioritises the backlog considering technical and regulatory constraints
Cross-functional development team: mechanical engineers, electronics engineers, embedded software developers, quality engineers

Industrial backlog

The industrial backlog incorporates user stories adapted to hardware, with physical acceptance criteria (mechanical resistance, power consumption, operating temperature, regulatory compliance). It accounts for manufacturing constraints: component ordering lead times, workshop availability, validation cycles.

Sprint Planning with physical deliverables

Sprint Planning includes a realistic assessment of the time needed to design, build and test a proof of concept. The team plans component orders, books workshops, anticipates procurement lead times. Sprints can be paced around demonstration cycles (2-4 weeks depending on product complexity).

Field-oriented retrospectives

Retrospectives identify concrete problems encountered: procurement delays, machining difficulties, failed tests, communication issues between design offices and workshops. The team implements corrective actions to improve the process.

SolidScrum training

SolidCreativity offers certified training to master SolidScrum: R&D Product Owner, Industrial Scrum Master, hardware development team. These courses include practical cases from real projects (medical devices, electronics, robotics).

Discover our SolidScrum training R&D Product Owner and Industrial Scrum Master certifications

How to take action?

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What is Hardware Agility?