IMPORTANT sectors in many parts of the world came to a grinding halt on Friday due to faulty computer code. Cyber-security firm CrowdStrike has admitted the problem was caused by an update to its antivirus software. I want to connect that to the risks of being “agile”. The Agile methodology is all the rage these days but I’ve always been a little uncomfortable with it – because I think it increases risk.
Agile might have started in the software development industry but has spread like wildfire into many other areas. Some of its key benefits are flexibility and rapid deployment of incremental changes. Rather than wait for one big upgrade, you get many tiny updates. Like your computer’s software pestering you to update it every fortnight or so. Or that irritating “software update required” message you get when you are at the head of cashier’s queue and launch a payment app on your phone.
