Gladwell (EN) | Hardware Insights #7: Agile Hardware at ASML

In this episode of Hardware Insights, host Amy van Zuydam is joined by Hugo Petiers, Transformation Manager and Group Leader at ASML, to explore how agile principles can be applied in one of the world’s most complex hardware environments.

Hugo shares how ASML moved beyond its old dual operating model and developed the ASML Development Model: an approach that builds on agile and SAFe principles, but adapts them to the reality of ultra-complex machines, long hardware lead times and extreme precision requirements.

The conversation explores why hardware development needs a different kind of agility. When a physical component can take up to nine months to produce, teams cannot simply build, release and change in the same way as software teams. Instead, ASML uses approaches such as virtual reality, product decomposition and early design iteration to reduce risk before committing to physical parts.

Amy and Hugo also discuss the role of empowered teams, senior leadership support and the mindset shift needed to make agile hardware development work in practice.

Hugo Petiers was interviewed by Amy van Zuydam during Agile Hardware 2025.