Mastering Agile Practice Adoption through a Model-Driven Approach for the Combination of Development Methods

2023 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 0

Authors: Giachetti, Giovanni; de la Vara, José Luis; Marín, Beatriz

Abstract: Many software companies are adapting their traditional development processes to ... Expand

Abstract: Many software companies are adapting their traditional development processes to incorporate agile practices. In this context, it is necessary to count on expert knowledge to evaluate different agile practices and configure them according to project needs. However, this expert knowledge is scarce, difficult to validate, and time-consuming, since it is applied manually. As a solution, the paper presents a model-driven approach, called SIAM, which automatically generates guidelines for the adoption of agile practices through the combination of different development methods. SIAM is supported by a meta-model architecture to implement a knowledge repository that characterizes method configuration decisions, which can be reused in different development projects. SIAM has been implemented in a tool suite that facilitates the specification of models and the identification of issues during the definition of the development processes. The approach has been successfully applied to reconfigure an industrial development process with agile methods, showing that the effort required for tailoring agile practices according to organizational standards is considerably reduced. Collapse

Topics: agile software development Scrum knowledge repository system development method waterfall model

Methods: design methodology business process modeling case study metamodel design science

Issues, challenges, and a proposed theoretical core of agile software development research

2022 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 12

Authors: Baham, Corey; Hirschheim, Rudy

Abstract: Over the last two decades, agile software development (ASD) has garnered much at ... Expand

Abstract: Over the last two decades, agile software development (ASD) has garnered much attention in both research and practice. Several ASD methods and techniques have been developed and studied. In particular, researchers have provided several theoretical perspectives on ASD and contributed rich insights to the ASD practice. Still, despite calls for a more unified theoretical understanding of ASD, a theoretical core of ASD has not been identified. This paper offers a theoretical core of ASD research, clarifying what is essential and what is less essential for IS agility, hoping to spark a scholarly discussion, and provides implications of such a core for understanding method tailoring. Collapse

Topics: user requirement systems development IS development agility Scrum IS agility

Methods: design methodology theory development theoretical contribution case study qualitative coding

The Moderating Effect of Management Review in Enhancing Software Reliability: A Partial Least Square Approach

2022 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Verma, Vibha; Tandon, Abhishek; Aggarwal, Anu G.

Abstract: This paper investigates the attributes related to the software development proce ... Expand

Abstract: This paper investigates the attributes related to the software development process (SDP) that affect software reliability (SR). In addition, the impact of management review (MR) on SR during testing period is studied. An interactive path model is developed to examine interrelationships between SDP factors, MR and SR. Partial Least Square is used for examining the consistency of factors within the model and to test predictive validity based on the hypothesis developed for relationships among factors. The survey-based research study is conducted to validate the model by collecting data from software professionals working at different job positions. The statistical results reveal that there is a direct positive influence of SDP factors on SR and MR positively moderates the relation between testing and SR. This means that management’s frequent assessment of the testing process, together with better planning and execution of SDP components, improves SR. Collapse

Topics: system reliability IT workforce systems development waterfall model computer hardware

Methods: survey partial least squares regression computational algorithm PLS tool design methodology

Hybrid Project Management Methods Efficiency in IT Projects

2021 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Jamous, Naoum; Garttan, Gaurav; Staegemann, Daniel; Volk, Matthias

Abstract: Digitalization move has motivated companies to adopt software for their busines ... Expand

Abstract: Digitalization move has motivated companies to adopt software for their business processes. This led to increase projects' complexity. Project management process plays a significant role in reaching a successful completion of IT-projects. It has been seen that management methodologies like waterfall and scrum are still not sufficient for every project. When it comes to complex projects where we need planning on the front part and agility on the developing part, a pure waterfall or agile is not sufficient. Thus, this study focuses on evaluating existing hybrid Methods as a useful alternative. A systematic literature review has been followed to select out the appropriate existing methodologies. Eleven different parameters have been selected for the evaluation on different measuring levels. It has been concluded based on a morphological analysis that a hybrid project management methodology is a good and efficient alternative. KeywordsHybrid project management, agile, waterfall, scrum, and IT complex projects. Collapse

Topics: project management Scrum waterfall model database system agile software development

Methods: design methodology structured literature research literature study experiment survey

How to tame the Tiger - Exploring the Means, Ends and Challenges in Smart Service Systems Engineering

2020 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 5

Authors: Anke, Jürgen; Ebel, Martin; Poeppelbuss, Jens; Alt, Rainer

Abstract: Smart service systems are like a tigerthey are difficult to tame. This is large ... Expand

Abstract: Smart service systems are like a tigerthey are difficult to tame. This is largely rooted in their complexity, which results from the involvement of multiple actors and the interaction of multiple disciplines. Smart service systems engineering requires the development of value propositions that integrate both smart products and smart services based on data analytics, cloud computing, and digital platforms. Therefore, a large variety of tasks must be performed to successfully engineer such systems. While academia has proposed different methods, techniques, and tools (means) to support these tasks, it remains unclear how smart service systems are engineered in practice and for what outcome (ends) the means are used for. This paper aims to address this shortcoming by conducting 14 in-depth interviews with experts who were involved in smart service systems engineering projects. Our qualitative data analysis resulted in an extensive set of means, ends and challenges that we were able to structure along the design dimensions value, process, and resource, as well as the overarching dimension of project management. Based on the interview data, we discussed the suitability of existing means, and approached the question whether it is necessary to leverage the adoption of existing methods in practice or rather to develop new, more practically useful methods instead. With this study, we contribute to academia by advancing our understanding of the suitability of methods for smart service systems engineering and call for creating and promoting toolboxes of easy-to-use and flexible means. Our insights are also helpful for practitioners to better assess challenges and ends for their smart service innovation initiatives. Collapse

Topics: project management cloud computing computer data storage systems development waterfall model

Methods: qualitative interview personal interview design methodology unified modeling language design science

Off With Their Headers: Mechanism Choices in Online Display Advertising

2020 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Balocco, Francesco; Lu, Yixin; Li, Ting

Abstract: The online display advertising market is undergoing major transformations. In th ... Expand

Abstract: The online display advertising market is undergoing major transformations. In this paper, we study the drivers for publishers’ transition from the waterfall model to header bidding and the ad exchanges’ shift from the second-price to the first-price auction through analytical modeling. We show that adopting header bidding is profitable only when advertisers’ valuations are asymmetric. We also show that switching to the first-price sealed bid mechanism is a dominant strategy for Ad Exchanges when publishers adopt header bidding. Our paper contributes to the literature by reconciling different views around the underlying drivers behind the on-going mechanism switches and shedding new lights on the complex interplay of informational and strategic factors in the online display advertising market. Collapse

Topics: banner advertising decision making digital ad exchange online advertising marketing management

Methods: mathematical model design methodology

Theories: auction theory

Desperately seeking the artefacts and the foundations of native theory in gamification research: why information systems researchers can play a legitimate role in this discourse and how they can better contribute

2020 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Lowry, Paul Benjamin; Petter, Stacie; Leimeister, Jan Marco

Abstract: ... Expand

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Topics: gamification design thinking IS discipline usability user interface

Methods: design artifact theory development design methodology literature sample literature study

Theories: theory of affordance information systems theory

How Much Method-in-Use Matters? A Case Study of Agile and Waterfall Software Projects

2020 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Thummadi, Babu Veeresh; Lyytinen, Kalle

Abstract: Development methods are rarely followed to the letter, and, consequently, their ... Expand

Abstract: Development methods are rarely followed to the letter, and, consequently, their effects are often in doubt. At the same time, information systems scholars know little about the extent to which a given method truly influences software design and its outcomes. In this paper, we approach this gap by adopting a routine lens and using a novel methodological approach. Theoretically, we treat methods as (organizational) ostensive routine specifications and deploy routine construct as a feasible unit of analysis to analyze the effects of a method on actual, “performed” design routines. We formulated a research framework that identifies method, situation fitness, agency, and random noise as main sources of software design routine variation. Empirically, we applied the framework to examine the extent to which waterfall and agile methods induce variation in software design routines. We traceenacted design activities in three software projects in a large IT organization that followed an objectoriented waterfall method and three software projects that followed an agile method and then analyzed these traces using a mixed-methods approach involving gene sequencing methods, Markov models, and qualitative content analysis. Our analysis shows that, in both cases, method-induced variation using agile and waterfall methods accounts for about 40% of all activities, while the remaining 60% can be explained by a designer’s personal habits, the project’s fitness conditions, and environmental noise. Generally, the effect of method on software design activities is smaller than assumed and the impact of designer and project conditions on software processes and outcomes should thus not be understated. Collapse

Topics: waterfall model systems development agile software development IT project requirements elicitation

Methods: design methodology design process qualitative interview Markov chain cluster analysis

Theories: measurement theory

Coexisting Plan-driven and Agile Methods: How Tensions Emerge and Are Resolved

2019 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Laux, Isabel; Kranz, Johann

Abstract: Fast changing products, processes, and services caused by digital technologies r ... Expand

Abstract: Fast changing products, processes, and services caused by digital technologies require organizations to adopt agile methods after having used plan-driven approaches for decades. Adopting agile methods only to software development, can lead to a challenging coexistence of methods. To date, little empirical understanding exists with regard to the difficulties that emerge when organizations introduce agile teams in plan-driven environments. Consequently, we investigate the coexistence of agile and plan-driven methods and study its impacts. We conducted an exploratory multiple case study of four organizations and draw from adaptive structuration theory to study how agile methods are adopted on team level to an environment of deeply entrenched plan-driven methods. We find that this coexistence causes several tensions between agile and plan-driven teams (i.e., budgeting, knowledge, planning, process, responsibility, and cultural tension). Further, we reveal how organizations and teams overcome these tensions with balanced and blended resolutions. Collapse

Topics: agile software development Scrum system development method systems operations devops

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

Theories: adaptive structuration theory structuration theory

Methodology for the Implementation of Knowledge Management Systems 2.0: A Case Study in an Oil and Gas Company

2019 | Business & Information Systems Engineering | Citations: 0

Authors: Orenga-Roglá, Sergio; Chalmeta, Ricardo

Abstract: Web 2.0 and Big Data tools can be used to develop knowledge management systems b ... Expand

Abstract: Web 2.0 and Big Data tools can be used to develop knowledge management systems based on facilitating the participation and collaboration of people in order to enhance knowledge. The paper presents a methodology that can help organizations with the use of Web 2.0 and Big Data tools to discover, gather, manage and apply their knowledge by making the process of implementing a knowledge management system faster and simpler. First, an initial version of the methodology was developed and it was then applied to an oil and gas company in order to analyze and refine it. The results obtained show the effectiveness of the methodology, since it helped this company to carry out the implementation quickly and effectively, thereby allowing the company to gain the maximum benefits from existing knowledge. Collapse

Topics: web 2.0 big data knowledge management backup knowledge management system

Methods: case study qualitative interview survey experiment literature study