RED Innovation: Using Scrum to Develop an Agile Department

The goal of the RED project is to fundamentally transform the EECS department into an agile department that implements agile processes within the curriculum and academic operations. The specific goals are as follows:

• Graduate agile engineers capable of success within agile and non-agile environments.
• Integrate agile methodology and experiences throughout the core technical courses.
• Utilize evidence-based instructional practices in core technical courses.
• Develop an agile faculty culture that is responsive to student and industry needs and that models agile practices for our students.
• Implement agile methodology into department operations.
• Faculty continuously seek improvement through Scrum methodology implementation.

At the curriculum level, EECS focuses on applying Scrum agile product development approach into courses across the curriculum. The approach allows faculty to achieve faster changes and implementation of prioritized items. Examples include incorporating more evidence-based practices such as just-in-time teaching, case-based teaching, active learning and peer instruction. At the academic operations level, EECS focuses on fostering inclusive learning environments, revising department procedures, and recruiting diverse students and faculty. Through the implementation of Scrum, both faculty and students gain expertise on agile product development and its application in academic operational settings.

Faculty work collectively in Scrum teams to innovate the practices, policies and culture of the department. Students use Scrum in individual and team projects throughout the middle two years of the curriculum to progressively build their expertise for the culminating capstone courses in the senior year. The research uses an explanatory case study design guided by social cognitive theory. Quantitative and qualitative analyses are performed using data from interviews with faculty and students, feedback from stakeholders and artifacts from Scrum teams.

One of the expected outcomes of this RED project is to investigate how the agile processes adoption to department operations enhance faculty and student experiences. The findings will be used to inform other engineering departments about practices to improve the education of a diverse student population to be well-skilled engineers for the workforce. Research results could lead to transformations in engineering education by offering a model on the novel use of Scrum as an agile organizational practice and its influences on the collective efficacy of faculty.

Carlos A. Castro, PMP

Carlos A. Castro is the Director of Operations for the Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University A certified Project Manager with more over ten (10+) years of experience in the aviation/aerospace industry. He earned an MSA and MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, PMP from the Project Management Institute, and Scrum Master Certification from the Scrum Organization. He is a Professor of Advanced Modeling Airport Modeling at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  His research experience includes airlines, airports, airspace, and air traffic management. Airline experience includes operations, quality assurance and quality control, reliability, and design of component control systems. Mr. Castro has a proven record of success in leading all phases of diverse technology and aviation projects. He is currently involved in several of the FAA’s Next Gen activities regarding air traffic management.

Omar Ochoa, Ph.D

Dr. Omar Ochoa is an Associate Professor of Software Engineering and Computer Science. He joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the fall of 2016 after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at El Paso under the supervision of Dr. Ann Gates. Dr. Ochoa has over 10 years of experience working in industry with companies such as the Army Research Lab, IBM, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Dr. Ochoa’s research is supported through external funding from NSF, FAA, Navy and the AFRL, focusing on infusing Software Engineering methods into Machine Learning development using the Semantic Web, Cybersecurity and Software Engineering Education in particular applying Agile Methods in Academia. Dr. Ochoa has published more than 50 publications, graduated over 25 graduate students including three Ph.D. students.

Radu Babiceanu, Ph.D.

Dr. Radu Babiceanu is a Professor of Systems Engineering with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) in Daytona Beach, Florida, the department’s doctoral program coordinator, and the POC for the ERAU Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. Dr. Babiceanu received his Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech in 2005. At ERAU, Dr. Babiceanu teaches systems engineering courses, such as System Quality Assurance and System Safety and Certification. He also developed and delivered short training courses for industry in aircraft system safety engineering and certification. His research interests are in the aviation/aerospace operational ecosystem, with emphasis in cybersecurity and safety-critical systems assurance, formal modeling and verification, and AI/ML approaches to enhanced operations.