US Army Adopts Streamlined Software Development Strategy

The U.S. Army has unveiled a new policy codifying agile and lean software development approaches, which are characterized by iteration and close coordination with users.

Such approaches are intended to expedite the development and refinement of software for warfighters, potentially driving the sustainment of a competitive military advantage, the Army said Saturday.

According to the service branch, software is key to its weapons, business and training platforms.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, a 2024 Wash100 winner, explained that combat success will depend on the ability to rapidly update and disseminate software.

Army Undersecretary Gabe Camarillo, meanwhile, said his company’s conventional software approaches no longer meet warfighter needs. He noted that the policy is meant to align such processes with industry best practices.

Specific changes include a shift toward more concise, high-level software requirements instead of prescriptive documents. The Army said it will also utilize flexible procurement strategies such as the Software Acquisition Pathway and modular contracting.