Grounded theory for transition to and adoption of agile software development

Successful migration from traditional software development methods to Agile methods, as an organizational mutation, requires enough understanding of Agile transformation process and its related issues. Reviewing the literature revealed that software companies are struggling with many challenges during Agile transition process. However, there was no large-scale research study to elucidate various aspects and dimensions of the transition process. Also, less effort has been devoted to investigate the whole transition process. A Grounded Theory study with participation of 49 Agile experts from 13 different countries, mostly from USA and West Europe countries, and some from Asia and Australia, has been carried out to investigate the realities of Agile transformation. Adopted research methodology provided a systematic approach to discover various aspect of the transformation through a multi-level data analysis including open coding, selective coding, and theoretical coding. Following a high disciplined approach, various concepts and categories have been identified and finally, the main concern of the participants, known as core category, has been discovered as the theory of Agile transition and adoption comprising four major parts: (1) Agile Transition Key Prerequisites, (2) Agile Transition Challenges, (3) Agile Transition Facilitators, and (4) Agile Transition and Adoption Framework. This study discovered the most important prerequisites that software companies need to provide before starting their transition to Agile approach including having convincing reason for change, defining business values, initial training, etc. Software companies have to do a preparation phase to provide these prerequisites before starting Agile transformation. It also identified the major challenges that software teams and companies are facing with when moving to Agile, including negative human aspects, inadequate and dysfunctional training, technical challenges, etc. These challenges have different roots and acts as impediments to the change. Also, this study discovered various change facilitators, including training, getting buy-in from practitioners, good coaching service, etc. Providing these facilitators help software teams to deal with the transformation challenges and increase chance of success. Finally, it proposed a substantive framework for transitioning to Agile approach. The proposed framework has particular features, discipline, and activities which promise usefulness for Agile transformation process in software companies regardless of size and project type. This framework particularly aims to promote sustainable change and being Agile instead of doing Agile. In general, this study developed the theory of Agile transition and adoption and discovered various aspects of the transformation. The findings of this study will serve to inform all software practitioners about transitioning to Agile software development

Compatibility of agile software development methods and CMMI

Agile software development methods by focusing on the different values, have established a new approach for software development compare to the traditional methods. While traditional methods emphasizes on the following disciplined processes and rigid practices, agile methods focused on individuals and their collaborations. Previously, CMMI was introduced as process improvement model in the traditional methods and now it is known as symbol of those methods. Nevertheless, compatibility of these two different approaches has been a serious question and there are several conflicting reports about their compatibility. The main purpose of this study was scrutinizing this issue. Generic practices and specific practices in CMMI were selected as criteria for checking compatibility of CMMI and agile methods. The results showed that CMMI and agile are compatible in several process areas. However, there are serious incompatibilities in the others. In level 3 and level 4 of CMMI, two and one incompatible process areas have been seen respectively. Also, agile does not support most of the generic practices in CMMI level 4 and 5. The results also showed that these incompatibilities return to the notion of organization and its role in software development

On the current agile assessment methods and approaches

Agile methods are widely used in software companies in recent years. Many software companies are replacing their traditional development methods with Agile methods. Nonetheless, measuring agility that they have achieved has be topic of debate. So far, only a few methods and tools have been proposed to measure the agility of software companies who are moving to agile. The main aim of this paper is reviewing the existing agile assessment methods and providing a brief discussion on drawbacks of these methods. This paper tries to elucidate the actual position of these methods in measuring agility degree of companies who are moving to agile approach

Agile transformation: a multi-dimensional process

Software companies are widely interested to use Agile methodologies instead of traditional methods, mainly because of achieving the values offered by Agile approach. However, literature review implies that the alteration process is subject to various serious challenges that make Agile transformation more difficult than expected. Most of the companies are facing these challenges mainly because of the lack of knowledge and understanding of the transformation process. We have conducted a large-scale empirical research study discover various aspects of Agile transformation. Applying a Grounded Theory study identified the general outline of Agile transformation Process. The main aim of this paper is to illustrate the most important concepts that need to be considered when adopting Agile methodologies. This study showed that Agile transformation comprises many concepts, activities, and steps including transformation prerequisites, facilitators, framework, assessment, coaching, and so on. Software companies and organizations need to be familiar with these concepts before inception of Agile transformation process

Agile transformation: what is it about?

Agile software development by offering new values motivates software companies to use Agile methods instead of traditional methods. However, reviewing the literature shows that leaving traditional methods and moving to Agile methods is subjected to many serious challenges. We have conducted a large-scale research study to empirically discover various aspects of Agile transformation. Our Grounded Theory study showed the general outline of Agile transformation. The main aim of this paper is to figure out the most important concepts that need to be considered when moving to Agile. This study showed that Agile transformation comprises many concepts, activities, and steps including transformation prerequisites, facilitators, framework, assessment, coaching, and so on. Companies need to be familiar with these concepts before starting transitioning to Agile

Quality of agile adoption in global software development: An assessment model

Over the last decade, software development has faced two approaches to Agile and global software development (GSD). While Agile development is focused on the reduction of software development overhead by reducing the distance between individuals and face-to-face communications, in global software development, the use of human power in various sites is considered. Despite their inherent differences, the combination of these two approaches has received considerable attention from researchers and software professionals. Meanwhile, the lack of a model or tool capable of assessing teams' adaptation to Agile methods seems to be a research gap. The current research aims to solve this challenge by proposing a model in this regard. Considering the major related factors and weighting them, this model allows software teams to assess the rate of their adaptation and success in global software development

Important considerations for agile software development methods governance

After introducing Agile approach in 2001, several Agile methods were founded over the last decade. Agile values such as customer collaboration, embracing changes,iteration and frequent delivery, continuous integration, etc. motivate all software stakeholders to use these methods in their projects. Moving to Agile methods needs a huge change in organization and involved people. This change is a fundamental and critical mutation. The main issue is that Agile transition and governance action plan needs to consider different aspects of change related issues. Conduction a Grounded Theory study with participation of 37 Agile experts from 13 countries showed that software companies should consider three main factors before inception of transformation action plan: Adoption styles, Method selection and Awareness of challenges and constraints. These fundamental considerations encompass many critical items for Agile movement and adoption process. However these items may lead to different results in different companies, but they should be studied in deep before any transition action plan

Towards comprehensive and disciplined change management strategy in agile transformation process.

Moving to agile through a well-defined strategy and framework is essential and this socio-technical process should be studied in deep. Advantages and earned values of agile approach in software industry motivate a lot of companies to try to use agile methods in their software product lines. Transformation process to agile methods is not easy and because of its nature, takes a long time. Since agile transformation needs organizational mutation, companies are faced with many challenges during this process. While several studies have been conducted for how to use agile methods, some other studies have focused on finding obstacles in agile adoption process. However, previous studies are valuable, but each of them has focused the change process from a particular perspective. In this study we discuss the dimensions of agile transformation process from a wider perspective. We will show that focusing on agile adoption is not the only master key for success in agile transformation process and we need to define an agile change management strategy for this organizational metamorphosis. This strategy should consider all aspects of changing approach and is underpinning of achievement in agile transformation process through substantive transformation experiences