The Agile CEO by Scrum Inc. | Episode 2: "An Agile Genesis"

In this episode:

JJ Sutherland sits down with Jeff Johnson , former Chief Technology Officer and Assistant Director at the FBI, to discuss the high-stakes transformation of the Sentinel project. Jeff joined the FBI in 2009, when the Sentinel project—intended to modernize the FBI’s case management system—had already consumed $400 million with little to show for it. Faced with a do-or-die scenario, Jeff turned the project around using Agile and Scrum methodologies, delivering results under budget and ahead of schedule.

Jeff shares how he made tough calls like reducing staff and reorganizing processes, all while focusing on making steady progress instead of relying on big, sweeping changes. He emphasizes the importance of 'time to awareness'—a key measure of how quickly the organization can access and act on vital information. Jeff’s experience offers a unique look at what it takes to drive significant change and keep teams motivated under high pressure.

What you'll learn:

• Turning Around a $400M Crisis: Jeff joined the FBI at a time when the Sentinel project was struggling with delays, inefficiencies, and technical debt. Despite the investment of hundreds of millions, the project was failing to deliver. Jeff's leadership and the adoption of Agile principles transformed the project into a success.
• The Importance of "Time to Awareness": Jeff introduced the concept of "time to awareness," a key metric for measuring the speed at which the organization could become aware of and act on critical information. Streamlining processes around this metric helped reduce bottlenecks and inefficiencies, ultimately driving the project forward.
• Leadership in High-Stakes Environments: Jeff recounts taking his team to Quantico for a simulated FBI training to connect their work to real-world impact. His approach focused on fostering a deep sense of purpose and commitment, even in the face of intense bureaucratic resistance.
• Agility Beyond the Red Book: This episode brings to life the lessons from Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time , demonstrating how Agile principles can transform even the most challenging environments.

Key Moments:

• [00:01:00] – The Initial State of the Sentinel Project: Jeff discusses the initial state of the project and the urgency to turn it around with limited resources.
• [00:04:00] – Introducing "Time to Awareness": How this key metric became central to the project’s success.
• [00:09:00] – Leadership Under Pressure: Motivating a team in a high-stress, high-stakes environment.
• [00:18:00] – Delivering Results Under Budget: How the project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.
• [00:24:00] – Navigating Bureaucracy and Stakeholder Management: Handling extensive requirements and gaining buy-in from various stakeholders.
• [00:32:00] – Overcoming Resistance: Strategies for dealing with resistance to change and the importance of leadership in Agile transformations.
• [00:40:00] – Scaling Agile in a Government Setting: Lessons learned from applying Agile principles in a highly regulated environment.
• [00:46:00] – Legacy of the Sentinel Project: The long-term impact on the FBI and how the lessons learned are still relevant today.

Final thoughts from JJ:

“Jeff’s story is a testament to how agility, strong leadership, and lean principles can drive success even in the most challenging, regulated environments. Whether you’re leading a small team or navigating enterprise-level transformations, you’ll find valuable lessons and inspiration in his journey that you can apply to your own context.”

In upcoming episodes, JJ will continue to explore how leaders across industries are driving innovation and resilience with Agile. Inspired by the 10th Anniversary Edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time , this podcast goes beyond the book. Hear firsthand from leaders in defense, tech, and healthcare about how Agile has transformed their organizations and driven new levels of success.

About Jeff Johnson:

Jeff Johnson is a former Chief Technology Officer and Assistant Director at the FBI, and former Vice President of the U.S. Postal Service. He is now an independent consultant and board advisor, focused on tackling some of the world’s most impactful challenges.

As Jeff puts it, "If there's anyone out there that needs help understanding the risk of staying in the status quo, I'm happy to share my story and take on new challenges." Connect with him on LinkedIn: Jeff Johnson .

Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube