Keywords

agility, agile development, software development, life cycle, large organizations, waterfall method, extreme programming, Scrum, informal communication, interdependencies, coordination

Abstract

A continual debate surrounds the effectiveness of agile software development practices. Some organizations adopt agile practices to become more competitive, improve processes, and reduce costs. Other organizations are skeptical about whether agile development is beneficial. Large organizations face an additional challenge in integrating agile practices with existing standards and business processes. To examine the effects of agile development practices in large organizations, we review and integrate scientific literature and theory on agile software development. We further organize our theory and observations into a framework with guidelines for large organizations considering agile methodologies. Based on this framework, we present recommendations that suggest ways large organizations with established processes can successfully implement agile practices. Our analysis of the literature and theory provides new insight for researchers of agile software development and assists practitioners in determining how to adopt agile development in their organizations.

Original Publication Citation

Barlow, J. B., Giboney, J. S., Keith, M. J., Wilson, D. W., Schuetzler, R., Lowry, P. B., & Vance, A. (2011). Overview and guidance on agile development in large organizations. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 29, pp. 25–44.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2011-7

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/8397

Publisher

Communications of the Association for Information Systems

Language

English

College

Marriott School of Business

Department

Information Systems

University Standing at Time of Publication

Assistant Professor

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