Agile Practices

At CDS, we follow agile principles pragmatically. We don't enforce a rigid framework — we adapt our approach to fit the context of each engagement while maintaining consistency in the practices that matter.

Our approach

We typically work in two-week sprints, though we adjust cadence based on client needs and project context. The important thing is a regular rhythm of planning, delivery, and reflection.

Ceremonies we value

Sprint planning

We plan collaboratively with the whole team. Everyone has input into what we commit to and how we break down the work.

Daily standups

Short, focused check-ins to surface blockers and keep the team aligned. We keep these to 15 minutes or less.

Retrospectives

Every sprint ends with a retro. We use a variety of formats to keep them fresh, but the goal is always the same: what can we do better next time?

Show and tell

We demo working software to stakeholders regularly. It builds trust, surfaces feedback early, and keeps everyone aligned on progress.

Estimation

We use story points for relative sizing, not as a measure of time. We find this encourages better conversations about complexity and risk.

Flexibility is key

These are our defaults, not rules. We adapt to fit the client's existing processes where it makes sense, and we're always open to trying new approaches.