Fighter jets and feature flags: Digital transformation of Singapore’s Air Force through agile product management
Publication Type
Case
Publication Date
8-2025
Abstract
Set in March 2025, this case explores how modern product management practices enabled rapid, iterative software development in a traditionally rigid environment. Tay Gek Peng, Chief Data Officer of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), led the establishment of RSAF Agile Innovation Digital (RAiD), a specialised unit created to drive innovation, resource optimisation and in-house software development capabilities.
RAiD aimed to challenge the rigid, hierarchical culture of the military by adopting start-up practices, and learning industry best practices. Central to the digital transformation is Project 300X, an initiative designed to accelerate software release cycles, and QualiFly, a digital platform developed to streamline the training and qualification process for Air Force Engineers (AFEs).
The case examines the challenges faced by the RSAF, such as an ageing population, manpower shortages, and slow software deployment, and highlights how RAiD addressed these issues by adopting modern product management techniques.
This case may be used for graduate, postgraduate and executive education classes. Learning objectives for the students are to understand the challenges of executing digital transformation, learn the principles and practices of agile product management, analyse how digital solutions can improve operational efficiency, examine the role of product thinking in digital transformation initiatives and discuss the balance between security measures and rapid deployment in software development lifecycles.
Keyword(s)
Technological innovation, Resource management, Technology platforms, Web development, Third party relationships
Discipline
Asian Studies | Databases and Information Systems
Area of Excellence
Digital transformation
Research Areas
Information Systems and Management
Data Source
Field Research
Industry
Military
Geographic Coverage
Singapore
Temporal Coverage
2025
Education Level
Executive Education; Postgraduate; Undergraduate
Publisher
Singapore Management University
Case ID
SMU-25-0025
Additional URL
https://ccx-shop.smu.edu.sg/products/fighter-jets-and-feature-flags-digital-transformation-of-singapore-s-air-force-through-agile-product-management?variant=43486746935338
Comments
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