10 min read
Operating models must evolve to align with new capabilities, especially in an agent-driven development environment.
Modernize the Quality Operating Model
- Quality shifts from a downstream gate to an inherent property of the development system itself. This requires embedding quality expertise within engineering teams rather than maintaining it as a separate organizational unit.
- Agents require immediate feedback loops to learn and iterate effectively. Inter-departmental handoffs for quality assurance introduce latency, undermining the core advantage of agentic workflows.
- Confidence in software quality now derives from continuous instrumentation, automated validation, and system-generated proofs, replacing reliance on manual inspection and ceremonial sign-offs.
- The return on investment for separate quality organizations diminishes as automated testing, observability, and embedded quality practices become integral to the engineering process.
The first question for any AI program: does the organizational structure support rapid feedback and continuous validation, or does it enforce antiquated gates?
Companion
Original articleRead the full articleExecutive Brief · You are hereRead the briefPodcast TranscriptRead the full transcriptSlide DeckView the slide deck
Most readers also read: Stop Reviewing Code. Start Proving It Works. My Take on AI in the Quality Process of Software.
