This page is part of the ForgeSDLC knowledge base — an AI-assisted, human-directed methodology for taking product work from concept to production. For the core operating model and vocabulary, see Forge SDLC overview and What is ForgeSDLC?.

DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method)

What it is

DSDM is an Agile project delivery framework that provides governance and structure for Agile teams, particularly in environments that also use PRINCE2 or other project management standards. Originally created in 1994 in the UK, it is now maintained by the Agile Business Consortium. DSDM defines a full project lifecycle with phases, roles, and principles — making it one of the few Agile methods that addresses project governance explicitly.

DSDM's core principle is that time and cost are fixed; scope is variable (the opposite of traditional project management). It uses MoSCoW prioritization (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) to manage scope within fixed timeboxes.

Process diagram (handbook)

DSDM lifecycle phases

Feasibility → Foundations → Evolutionary Development (iterative) → Deployment. Pre-project and post-project phases bookend the lifecycle.

Authoritative sources (external)

Resource	Executive summary (why it's linked here)
Wikipedia — Dynamic systems development method	Stable overview of DSDM phases, principles, and roles.
Agile Business Consortium	Official DSDM body — framework documentation, training, and certification.
Agile Alliance — DSDM	Short definition in the Agile glossary.

Eight principles

Principle	Meaning
Focus on the business need	Every decision should be traceable to a business objective.
Deliver on time	Timeboxing is non-negotiable; scope flexes, not deadlines.
Collaborate	Active, continuous collaboration between business and technical roles.
Never compromise quality	Quality is defined early and is not a negotiable variable.
Build incrementally from firm foundations	Understand the scope before deep build, then evolve incrementally.
Develop iteratively	Embrace change through iterative refinement; feedback drives convergence.
Communicate continuously and clearly	Informal and formal communication; daily stand-ups and workshops.
Demonstrate control	Plans and progress must be visible; governance is not optional.

Lifecycle phases

Phase	Purpose
Pre-project	Confirm the project is worth doing; initial business case.
Feasibility	Assess technical and business feasibility; prove viability.
Foundations	Establish scope (MoSCoW), architecture, development approach, and team.
Evolutionary Development	Iterative timeboxes producing increments; the main build phase.
Deployment	Release to production; user training; handover.
Post-project	Benefits assessment; lessons learned.

Mapping to this blueprint's SDLC

DSDM idea	Blueprint touchpoint
Pre-project + feasibility	Phase A: discovery, feasibility.
Foundations	Phase A–B: scope, architecture, planning.
Evolutionary Development	Phase C–D: iterative build and verify.
Deployment	Phase E–F: release and operate.
MoSCoW prioritization	Backlog management; scope management per `change.html`.
Demonstrate control	Governance, tracking, reporting per `SDLC.md`.

Roles (DSDM-specific)

Role	Responsibility
Business sponsor	Funding, strategic alignment, removing business-level impediments.
Business visionary	Defines the business vision; ensures the solution meets business needs.
Technical coordinator	Technical architecture, standards, quality; equivalent to chief architect.
Team leader	Facilitates the team; manages timebox execution (similar to Scrum Master).
Business ambassador	Day-to-day business voice; provides requirements and feedback (similar to Product Owner).
Solution developers	Build and test the solution within timeboxes.
Solution testers	Dedicated testing; work within or alongside the development team.

DSDM + PRINCE2 (common combination)

DSDM provides the Agile delivery approach within a PRINCE2 project management framework. PRINCE2 handles governance, stage gates, and exception management; DSDM handles iterative development within stages. This combination is common in UK government and enterprise contexts.

Agentic SDLC: DSDM + agents

Topic	Guidance
Timeboxing	Agent throughput increases what fits in a timebox; ensure review and quality keep pace.
MoSCoW	Agents can help analyze and prioritize requirements; business ambassador makes final MoSCoW decisions.
Governance	DSDM's explicit governance maps well to agent audit trails; ensure agent-generated changes are traceable.

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