Project Lifecycle Development for a Next Generation Space Suit Project

Abstract

A hypothesis for an optimized, project lifecycle development method was formulated by understanding (i) the project environment of implementation, (ii) applicable, current state-of-the-art frameworks, and (iii) eliciting feedback before, during and after testing from those individuals participating in the lifecycle development framework. While traditional waterfall methods have their place, high uncertainty projects instigate exploratory work and as such, agile implementations were created to allow projects to quickly adapt (PMI 2017). In the context of dynamic environments and niche products, NASA is no stranger. Understanding the current state of the project and current state-of-the-art facilitates an approach that allows for well-established techniques in the way of lean and agile to benefit project development. Additionally, these inclusions may help expose knowledge gaps in the current state-of-the-art and also lend credibility to approaches derived to help close those gaps. This article describes the modified agile concept (MAC) and its multi-disciplinary approach to a sampling of various lean and agile methods integrated alongside traditional, waterfall methods (such as a hybrid model) to support the hypothesized project lifecycle development. This approach was developed as part of a case study with a design and test team responsible for building test stations to qualify components of the life support system on the next generation space suit. This article will outline exclusively the scrum and lean methods in the MAC with a cursory overview on kanban development supporting the MAC.