Agile Development in Practice: Lessons from the Trenches

2019 | Information Systems Management | Citations: 9

Authors: Cram, W. Alec

Abstract: In the twenty years since the agile approach to systems development was introduc ... Expand

Abstract: In the twenty years since the agile approach to systems development was introduced, a wide range of organizations have adopted its principles. Despite numerous reports that highlight agile success stories, there are relatively few recent publications that provide practical guidance on the potential pitfalls and areas of risk related to agile. In response, this practice-oriented paper draws on 56 practitioner interviews to identify a series of “lessons learned” pertaining to agile adoption, tailoring, and use. Collapse

Topics: agile software development organizational culture system development method information system use problem solving

Methods: design methodology qualitative interview

Theories: work systems theory

Journey towards agility

2019 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Dreesen, Tim; Binzer, Björn; Diegmann, Phil; Rosenkranz, Christoph

Abstract: After more than 15 years since the Agile Manifesto and extensive research on agi ... Expand

Abstract: After more than 15 years since the Agile Manifesto and extensive research on agile software development (ASD) for nearly three decades, a comprehensive body of knowledge is available and is constantly growing. ASD is considered an effective way for managing software development projects in environments characterized by rapidly changing requirements. This study aims to shed light on the existing knowledge on ASD by applying a structured literature review and computer aided analysis consisting of distinct text mining techniques. We analyzed a sample of 1,376 papers and provide results from articles among relevant information systems research as well as computer science conferences and journals. Based on our approach, we are able to (1) evaluate key articles and journals, (2) analyze the development of ASD research in the last three decades and, most importantly, (3) identify research foci of the past as well as gaps in our knowledge on ASD. Collapse

Topics: agile software development information technology capability requirements analysis pair programming problem solving

Methods: topic model design methodology literature study literature sample structured literature research

Journey Towards Agility: Three Decades of Research on Agile Information Systems Development

2018 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 6

Authors: Diegmann, Phil; Dreesen, Tim

Abstract: After more than 15 years since the Agile Manifesto and extensive research on agi ... Expand

Abstract: After more than 15 years since the Agile Manifesto and extensive research on agile information systems development for nearly three decades, a comprehensive body of knowledge is available and is constantly growing. Agile information systems development is considered an effective way for managing information systems development projects in environments characterized by rapidly changing requirements. This study aims to shed light on the existing knowledge on agile information systems development by applying a structured literature review and computer aided analysis consisting of distinct text mining techniques. We analyzed a sample of 775 papers and provide results from articles among the Senior Scholars’ Basket, selected information systems conferences, and selected journals from management and computer science. Based on our approach, we are able to (1) evaluate key articles and journals, (2) analyze the development of agile information systems development research in the last three decades and, most importantly, (3) identify research foci of the past as well as gaps in our knowledge on agile information systems development for further research. Collapse

Topics: agile software development pair programming requirements analysis extreme programming problem solving

Methods: design methodology topic model literature study literature sample structured literature research

Enhancing Software Development in the MIS Curriculum using Pair Programming

2015 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Ndabvonga-Dongo, Tendai; Reed, April

Abstract: Management Information Systems (MIS) majors often must perfect their programming ... Expand

Abstract: Management Information Systems (MIS) majors often must perfect their programming skills with one course which can be a daunting task. In an effort to enhance the software development abilities of MIS majors a pair programming lab experiment was conducted in an introductory software development course to determine if that technique would produce benefits for the MIS curriculum. Pair programming experiments are often performed with Computer Science majors but rarely with MIS majors. The researchers’ observations as well as participant’s responses to a survey questionnaire were analyzed after the experiment. The results indicated that pair programming may be beneficial as a pedagogical tool to a MIS students’ ability to create programs using high-level concepts. Additionally, researcher observations revealed pairs worked collaboratively to produce the program while actively communicating and enjoying the process. Collapse

Topics: pair programming software developer systems design anonymity laptop computer

Methods: experiment design methodology survey pilot experiment laboratory experiment

Theories: learning theory

Distributed Cognition in Software Design: An Experimental Investigation of the Role of Design Patterns and Collaboration

2014 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 19

Authors: Mangalaraj, George; Nerur, Sridhar; Mahapatra, RadhaKanta; Price, Kenneth H.

Abstract: Software design is a knowledge intensive task that constitutes a critical part o ... Expand

Abstract: Software design is a knowledge intensive task that constitutes a critical part of the software development process. Using a controlled experiment involving software practitioners, this research examines two potentially useful mechanisms for improving the software design process. Specifically, this study examines the impact of structural distribution of cognition through design patterns and social distribution of cognition through collaborating pairs on design outcomes. The results indicate that the use of design patterns as external cognitive artifacts improves design quality, reduces time taken to solve a design problem, and leads to higher participant satisfaction. Collaborating pairs of software designers were compared to participants working alone but whose efforts were conjointly considered as the best and second-best members of nominal pairs. It was found that paired designers produced higher quality designs compared with the second-best members of nominal pairs, did not differ from the best member of a nominal pair, but took more time to complete a design task than either member of a nominal pair. The results also indicate that the availability of design patterns raises the performance level of the second-best member of a nominal pair, in terms of quality, and reduces task completion time when compared with a pair not using design patterns. Finally, paired designers were found to experience higher levels of task satisfaction when compared with individuals. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Collapse

Topics: systems design object oriented programming language systems development task productivity pair programming

Methods: design pattern analysis of covariance experiment multivariate analysis of covariance design methodology

Theories: theory of distributed cognition theory of human problem solving

Modeling dynamics in agile software development

2010 | ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems | Citations: 3

Authors: Cao, Lan; Ramesh, Balasubramaniam; Abdel-Hamid, Tarek

Abstract: Changes in the business environment such as turbulent market forces, rapidly evo ... Expand

Abstract: Changes in the business environment such as turbulent market forces, rapidly evolving system requirements, and advances in technology demand agility in the development of software systems. Though agile approaches have received wide attention, empirical research that evaluates their effectiveness and appropriateness is scarce. Further, research to-date has investigated individual practices in isolation rather than as an integrated system. Addressing these concerns, we develop a system dynamics simulation model that considers the complex interdependencies among the variety of practices used in agile development. The model is developed on the basis of an extensive review of the literature as well as quantitative and qualitative data collected from real projects in nine organizations. We present the structure of the model focusing on essential agile practices. The validity of the model is established based on extensive structural and behavioral validation tests. Insights gained from experimentation with the model answer important questions faced by development teams in implementing two unique practices used in agile development. The results suggest that due to refactoring, the cost of implementing changes to a system varies cyclically and increases during later phases of development. Delays in refactoring also increase costs and decrease development productivity. Also, the simulation shows that pair programming helps complete more tasks and at a lower cost. The systems dynamics model developed in this research can be used as a tool by IS organizations to understand and analyze the impacts of various agile development practices and project management strategies. Collapse

Topics: agile software development pair programming productivity project productivity human resource management

Methods: design methodology simulation qualitative interview experiment system dynamics

BEYOND MODES: A NEW TYPOLOGY OF ISD CONTROL

2010 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Cram, W Alec; Brohman, M Kathryn

Abstract: This study focuses on the role of information systems development (ISD) control ... Expand

Abstract: This study focuses on the role of information systems development (ISD) control as a means to better understand the underlying elements of ISD methodologies. Based on Ackoff’s general systems theory, we propose a new typology of ISD control that moves beyond the de facto standard in ISD research: control modes. Through twenty-six interviews at four organizations, we find that our typology aids in distinguishing between control dimensions within structured and flexible development to a greater extent than control modes would allow. Our paper also discusses possible reasons why the benefits of agile development may become diluted in organizations where both flexible and structured methods are employed. This work contributes to the advancement of ISD control theory and provides useful insights for practitioners responsible for the governance of ISD projects. Collapse

Topics: systems development problem solving system development method agile software development IT development project

Methods: qualitative interview case study design methodology qualitative coding field study

Theories: general systems theory control theory

Are Two Heads Better Than One for Software Development? The Productivity Paradox of Pair Programming

2009 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 88

Authors: Balijepally, VenuGopal; Mahapatra, RadhaKanta; Nerur, Sridhar; Price, Kenneth H.

Abstract: Extreme programming is currently gaining popularity as an alternate software dev ... Expand

Abstract: Extreme programming is currently gaining popularity as an alternate software development methodology. Pair programming, a core practice of this methodology, involves two programmers working collaboratively to develop software. This study examined the efficacy of pair programming by comparing the performance effectiveness and affective responses of collaborating pairs with those of individual programmers treated as nominal pairs. In a controlled laboratory experiment involving student subjects, proxies for entry level programmers working on entry level tasks, two factors were manipulated: programming setting (collaborative pair versus individuals) and programming task complexity (high versus low). Participants who worked in the individual condition were randomly combined into nominal pairs. The performance and affective responses of the collaborating pairs were then compared with those of the best performers and the second best performers of each nominal pair. Results indicated that programming pairs performed at the level above the second best performers and at the level of the best performers in each nominal pair. This relationship was found to be consistent across both levels of task complexity. Consequently, there was no evidence of an "assembly bonus effect," where the performance of a collaborating pair exceeds the performance of its best member working alone. While this finding may appear counterintuitive due to the general perception of two heads being better than one, it is consistent with the findings in small group research. When affective responses were considered, programming pairs reported higher levels of satisfaction than those of the best and second-best performing members in nominal pairs. They also showed higher levels of confidence in their performance compared to those of the second-best members. But the confidence levels of pairs were no different from those of the best performing members in nominal pairs. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are presented. Collapse

Topics: task complexity system quality software developer pair programming systems development

Methods: design methodology experimental task analysis of covariance experiment Student's t-test

The True Cost of Pair Programming: Development of a Comprehensive Model and Test

2009 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 1

Authors: Sun, Wenying; Marakas, George M.

Abstract: This study aims to answer the following research question: compared to solo prog ... Expand

Abstract: This study aims to answer the following research question: compared to solo programming, is pair programming a more cost effective method for developing software? This paper proposes a research model based on theories and previous empirical studies. It discusses a multi-study approach to address the question in hand. The first study is a survey of practitioners in regards to their experience and perception of the cost of pair programming. Information acquired from the survey are then fed into simulation models as input parameters with the purpose to identify situations where pair programming is or is not more cost effective than solo programming. Collapse

Topics: pair programming knowledge sharing software developer IT skill problem solving

Methods: design methodology survey simulation literature study survey design

A cognitive perspective on pair programming

2006 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Jain, Radhika; Muro, Jaime; Mohan, Kannan

Abstract: Pair programming has gained widespread popularity with the advent of agile metho ... Expand

Abstract: Pair programming has gained widespread popularity with the advent of agile methodologies like Extreme Programming. Studies examining productivity improvement resulting from pair programming have produced mixed results. One of the important factors contributing to successful pair programming is pair composition. Developers’ styles need to be complimentary to each other, in order for each developer to derive benefits from other’s strengths. In this research, we focus on empirically investigating the impact of pairing experts and novices in different ways on their productivity. Collapse

Topics: software developer productivity problem solving pair programming

Methods: experimental design protocol analysis design methodology