Public sector agencies have increasingly adopted Agile software development methods to become more responsive to constituent needs and skyrocketing demand for digital services. Across federal agencies and state and local governments, officials aim to transform regular transactions into delightful, modern experiences.

The public, however, holds high expectations for digital experiences. Savvy startups and cutting-edge tech companies set the bar with innovative applications, frequent updates, and timely fixes if users have trouble with a change. Constituents want to renew a driver’s license online as easily as they order groceries.

In response, state and local governments increasingly collaborate with coding organizations and citizen coders while software factories are popping up in federal agencies such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments. For these and other organizations, implementing rigorous testing protocols is crucial to developing high-quality, secure apps. Launching a buggy or unstable product risks leaving constituents’ essential needs unmet and souring them from pursuing other government services.

For most public sector agencies, transitioning to an Agile test management tool is inevitable. The question is how to do it.