Introduction
David Mayfield is an Agile Transformation Leader with extensive experience modernizing software development, workforce capabilities, and organizational performance across the Department of Defense. His career spans enterprise Agile coaching, DevSecOps transformation, software acquisition, workforce education, and AI-enabled modernization initiatives supporting complex government organizations.
From leading Agile transformation efforts at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to directing workforce modernization initiatives at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) School of Systems & Logistics, David has consistently helped organizations improve delivery performance, strengthen collaboration, and prepare for the future of software-intensive defense systems.
Enterprise Agile Transformation Leadership
David’s leadership in Agile Development is built upon creating adaptive organizations capable of delivering value through collaboration, transparency, inspection, and continuous improvement.
Throughout his career he has:
- Directed Agile transformation across 10 major projects.
- Trained and mentored Scrum Masters, Product Owners, executives, managers, and development teams.
- Implemented Scrum and Agile best practices within complex government organizations.
- Led iterative planning, backlog management, release planning, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Fostered cultures emphasizing trust, commitment, focus, courage, respect, and empirical decision making.
His leadership extends beyond implementing Agile frameworks by helping organizations transform how they plan, govern, and execute mission-critical work.
Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS)
Agile Infusion & Sustainment
David played a significant role supporting DFAS Agile Infusion and Sustainment initiatives by helping establish Agile as a repeatable organizational capability.
Key accomplishments include:
- Coordinated and led Agile Community of Practice events.
- Delivered Scrum Master 101 and Developer 101 training.
- Supported Agile adoption across multiple development organizations.
- Trained over 225 DFAS employees through Agile Community events.
- Helped establish consistent Agile practices across multiple programs.
His work accelerated Agile adoption while aligning delivery teams with broader organizational modernization objectives.
Operational Results and Program Impact
David’s coaching directly contributed to measurable improvements across multiple enterprise systems.
Examples include:
Strategic Management Accounting System (SMAS)
- Achieved Standard Financial Information Structure (SFIS) readiness.
- Completed 72 SFIS Software Change Requests ahead of schedule.
Automated Time, Attendance and Production System (ATAAPS)
- Completed 54 Software Change Requests ahead of schedule.
- Improved collaboration between development teams and organizational stakeholders.
- Reduced rework through Agile planning and continuous feedback.
These accomplishments demonstrated how Agile leadership can improve execution while reducing delivery risk.
Coaching, Mentoring, and Organizational Development
David has invested heavily in developing Agile leaders across government organizations.
His coaching accomplishments include:
- Coaching Product Owners.
- Mentoring Scrum Masters.
- Developing Agile leaders.
- Coaching functional managers transitioning into Product Owner roles.
- Training over 150 DFAS associates in Agile transformation.
- Coaching multiple Scrum teams toward high-performing execution.
His leadership philosophy centers on empowering people, enabling collaboration, and building sustainable organizational capability.
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
School of Systems & Logistics
Workforce Modernization and Software Acquisition
Building upon his enterprise transformation experience, David now directs workforce modernization initiatives supporting the Department of the Air Force.
His responsibilities include leading two strategic educational initiatives:
WKSP 0678 – Topics in Agile, DevOps, and DevSecOps
Embedded Weapon System Software Acquisition Micro-Credential
These programs prepare acquisition professionals, engineers, logisticians, software developers, and program managers to successfully operate within modern software acquisition environments.
WKSP 0678 – Topics in Agile, DevOps, and DevSecOps
David serves as Director for the Agile, DevSecOps, and DevOps workshop series designed to strengthen the Department of the Air Force’s software modernization workforce.
The workshop emphasizes practical application through instruction on:
- Agile planning and execution
- Scrum Framework
- Lean and Kanban principles
- DevSecOps culture
- Continuous Integration / Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
- Software modernization
- Risk-based decision making
- Product ownership
- Organizational transformation
- AI-assisted software development
- Mission-focused software delivery
Participants include:
- Program Managers
- Engineers
- Acquisition Professionals
- Software Developers
- Logistics Personnel
- Mission Support Teams
- Government Leadership
The workshops provide practical skills that can immediately be applied within defense acquisition programs.
Embedded Weapon System Software Acquisition Micro-Credential
David also directs development of the Embedded Weapon System Software Acquisition Micro-Credential designed to strengthen software acquisition competency across the Department of the Air Force.
The program prepares acquisition professionals to better understand:
- Embedded software acquisition
- Agile software acquisition
- DevSecOps integration
- Digital engineering
- Continuous software modernization
- Software sustainment
- Third-party software integration
- Artificial Intelligence considerations
- Cybersecurity throughout the acquisition lifecycle
The curriculum bridges traditional acquisition practices with modern software delivery approaches supporting future weapon systems.
AI and the Future of Workforce Transformation
Recognizing the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence, David has incorporated AI-enabled capabilities into workforce education.
Training now explores how AI can:
- Improve decision making
- Support Agile planning
- Enhance DevSecOps workflows
- Assist software acquisition
- Improve operational visibility
- Strengthen workforce productivity
- Enable data-informed modernization
His approach emphasizes responsible adoption of AI while maintaining strong governance, engineering discipline, and mission focus.
Professional Development and Certifications
David maintains an ongoing commitment to professional excellence through continuous learning and industry certifications.
Professional credentials include:
- Certified Agile Coach
- Certified Agile Professional
- Professional Scrum Master
- Certified Agile Leadership
- Agile Transformation certifications
These credentials support his ability to lead organizational transformation while mentoring the next generation of Agile and software acquisition professionals.
Conclusion
David Mayfield’s career reflects a progression from enterprise Agile transformation to enterprise workforce modernization.
His work at DFAS demonstrated the operational impact of Agile leadership within complex government organizations. His leadership at AFIT extends that impact by preparing today’s acquisition workforce for tomorrow’s software-intensive defense environment through Agile, DevSecOps, Artificial Intelligence, and modern software acquisition practices.
Today, David continues advancing mission modernization through education, organizational transformation, and the development of innovative technologies such as the SkyGlass platform—helping government organizations connect strategy, execution, governance, operational intelligence, and workforce readiness into a unified approach for mission success.