Nieman Lab.
Predictions for
Journalism, 2024.
In the dynamic digital landscape of 2024, the development of technology platforms becomes an intricate dance, harmonizing agility and scalability. In an industry where chaos is a feature and not a bug, the crux lies in the strategic adoption of agile methodologies — not as a mere procedural shift but as an imperative for continuous innovation. This will enable news organizations to build with the speed demanded by the ever-evolving nature of news. The call for agility in the digital era resonates with the swift shifts in user behavior, technological advancements, and the inherently dynamic essence of news.
Agile methodologies in action
The embrace of agile methodologies, be it through the channels of Scrum or Kanban, transcends industry parlance — it embodies a strategic necessity, signifying a fundamental shift in the approach of news organizations toward software development.
Central to an agile environment is the core concept of iterative development cycles. These succinct sprints, spanning two to four weeks, liberate development teams from the constraints of traditional waterfall methodologies. They empower teams not just to deliver software but to orchestrate incremental improvements, enabling swift adaptation to emerging trends and seamless integration of user feedback. The distinctive feature here is the cultivation of frequent collaboration among cross-functional teams. Developers, designers, product managers, and journalists convene in a symphony of interdisciplinary collaboration, dismantling silos and fostering a shared understanding of both technological and editorial objectives.
Continuous integration and continuous deployment
The essence of agile development manifests in the expeditious responses to user feedback. The establishment of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines stands testament to this principle. These automated conduits facilitate the swift delivery of updates and enhancements, removing impediments that could otherwise hinder a more sluggish development process. Automated testing processes assume a pivotal role, serving as vigilant gatekeepers to ensure that modifications not only meet but enhance the stability and reliability of the platform. Embracing agility is the cultivation of a culture that thrives on perpetual innovation. This ethos allows the news platform to organically evolve, synchronizing seamlessly with the undulating landscape of the news cycle.
Agile innovation as a strategic imperative
As we contemplate the digital future, continuous innovation emerges as the linchpin of success for news organizations. In a landscape where news is not merely consumed but experienced, the agility afforded by embracing these methodologies becomes a strategic imperative. The pace of news demands not just reactive but proactive development — anticipating user needs and industry trends before they solidify.
Strategic adoption of agile product development represents more than a technical refinement; it’s a pivotal response to the imperatives of continuous innovation in a digital era defined by rapid change and dynamism. Navigating these challenges in news platform development isn’t a mere choice — it’s the guiding philosophy steering news organizations toward a future where they don’t just keep pace with the news but emerge as trailblazers in shaping it.
Upasna Gautam is senior product manager for digital news platforms at CNN.
In the dynamic digital landscape of 2024, the development of technology platforms becomes an intricate dance, harmonizing agility and scalability. In an industry where chaos is a feature and not a bug, the crux lies in the strategic adoption of agile methodologies — not as a mere procedural shift but as an imperative for continuous innovation. This will enable news organizations to build with the speed demanded by the ever-evolving nature of news. The call for agility in the digital era resonates with the swift shifts in user behavior, technological advancements, and the inherently dynamic essence of news.
Agile methodologies in action
The embrace of agile methodologies, be it through the channels of Scrum or Kanban, transcends industry parlance — it embodies a strategic necessity, signifying a fundamental shift in the approach of news organizations toward software development.
Central to an agile environment is the core concept of iterative development cycles. These succinct sprints, spanning two to four weeks, liberate development teams from the constraints of traditional waterfall methodologies. They empower teams not just to deliver software but to orchestrate incremental improvements, enabling swift adaptation to emerging trends and seamless integration of user feedback. The distinctive feature here is the cultivation of frequent collaboration among cross-functional teams. Developers, designers, product managers, and journalists convene in a symphony of interdisciplinary collaboration, dismantling silos and fostering a shared understanding of both technological and editorial objectives.
Continuous integration and continuous deployment
The essence of agile development manifests in the expeditious responses to user feedback. The establishment of continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines stands testament to this principle. These automated conduits facilitate the swift delivery of updates and enhancements, removing impediments that could otherwise hinder a more sluggish development process. Automated testing processes assume a pivotal role, serving as vigilant gatekeepers to ensure that modifications not only meet but enhance the stability and reliability of the platform. Embracing agility is the cultivation of a culture that thrives on perpetual innovation. This ethos allows the news platform to organically evolve, synchronizing seamlessly with the undulating landscape of the news cycle.
Agile innovation as a strategic imperative
As we contemplate the digital future, continuous innovation emerges as the linchpin of success for news organizations. In a landscape where news is not merely consumed but experienced, the agility afforded by embracing these methodologies becomes a strategic imperative. The pace of news demands not just reactive but proactive development — anticipating user needs and industry trends before they solidify.
Strategic adoption of agile product development represents more than a technical refinement; it’s a pivotal response to the imperatives of continuous innovation in a digital era defined by rapid change and dynamism. Navigating these challenges in news platform development isn’t a mere choice — it’s the guiding philosophy steering news organizations toward a future where they don’t just keep pace with the news but emerge as trailblazers in shaping it.
Upasna Gautam is senior product manager for digital news platforms at CNN.
