What is Disciplined Agile (DA)? A Comprehensive Guide

If you’re curious about how to make your team’s work more efficient and effective, you’re in the right place. We take you through what Disciplined Agile is, its history, core principles, and the benefits it offers. We also discuss its strengths and weaknesses, giving you a well-rounded view of this framework. Whether you are new to agile practices or looking to refine your approach, this blog has something for everyone. So, let’s start reading now! 

Table of Contents 

1) What is Disciplined Agile?   

2) The History of Disciplined Agile    

3) Core Principles of Disciplined Agile    

4) Benefits of Using Disciplined Agile 

5) Strengths and Weaknesses of the Disciplined Agile Framework   

6) Conclusion 

What is Disciplined Agile? 

Disciplined Agile (DA) is a Project Management toolkit that uses a mix of methods to fit the project’s needs and guide the team. It helps you choose the right tools and processes for each project. This approach combines the best parts of various management methods like Lean, Scrum, Agile, and Kanban.
 

The History of Disciplined Agile 

Disciplined Agile (DA) was developed at IBM starting in 2009 and was first introduced in 2012 with the book “Disciplined Agile Delivery.” Initially, it focused on making process decisions across an organization. Over time, new subsets like “Disciplined DevOps” and “Disciplined Agile IT” emerged, applying DA concepts to specific areas. 

Today, Disciplined Agile broadly refers to creating effective processes for various aspects of solution delivery, including finance, procurement, IT architecture, and portfolio management, which includes roles such as Portfolio Manager

Core Principles of Disciplined Agile 

Here are the 8 Disciplined Agile Principles:
 

a) Delight Customers: Ensure both external and internal customers are more than satisfied, meeting their expectations and creating a sense of delight. 

b) Be Awesome: Foster a great work environment with teammates who strive to improve and excel. 

c) Context Matters: Recognize that the specific context is crucial in choosing the right method, allowing for the development of methods across different contexts. 

d) Be Pragmatic: Use the most effective strategy, whether it’s traditional, lean, or agile. 

e) Choice is Good: Provide teams with options and choices, enabling them to understand the trade-offs of each option. 

f) Optimize Flow: Ensure the process flow is optimized to effectively meet customer needs. 

g) Organize Around Products and Services: Structure strategies around services and products to genuinely delight customers and manage project portfolios effectively. 

h) Enterprise Awareness: Teams should prioritize the organization’s best interests and work to increase enterprise awareness. 

Benefits of Using Disciplined Agile 

Here are some of the advantages of it: 
 

a) Boosts Commercial Performance: Companies with a DA culture have seen a 237% increase in commercial performance. 

b) Increased Competitiveness: DA ensures customer satisfaction, which fosters loyalty and makes it difficult for competitors to lure them away. This strengthens and enhances your business. 

c) Enhanced Team Engagement: DA promotes flexibility over rigid processes, allowing teams to determine the best way to work. This increases efficiency and leads to higher employee engagement as they feel more accountable and empowered. 

d) Versatility Across Teams: Unlike traditional agile methods used mainly by product owners or project managers, DA is flexible and can be adapted to any team within the organization, such as HR, marketing, or sales. 

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Disciplined Agile Framework 

Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the framework that every enterprise and project manager should be aware of: 

Strengths of Disciplined Agile 

a) Hybrid Approach: DA integrates the best elements from numerous methodologies, making it versatile and effective. 

b) Adaptability: It can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each team, ensuring effective implementation. 

Weaknesses of Disciplined Agile 

a) Lack of Strict Guidance: DA may not be suitable for companies new to agile, as it doesn’t provide rigid instructions. 

b) Need for Consultants: Organizations unfamiliar with agile might require professional assistance to implement the DA framework effectively. 

Conclusion 

Disciplined Agile is a versatile and effective Project Management toolkit that helps organizations improve their processes and achieve business agility. By combining the best elements of various methodologies, it offers flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for any team. Whether you’re looking to boost commercial performance, increase team engagement, or adapt to different challenges, Disciplined Agile provides the right tools and strategies to succeed.