Insights Into Transitioning To Agile Software Development

Abstract

Agile software development approach is the recent buzz word in newlineIndian software organizations Use of this approach is expected to result in newlinespeedy delivery with better quality good rapport with the customer and newlinemarket and fetch quicker return on investment The agile software newlinedevelopment approach is flexible To achieve the above said characteristics newlinethe agile software development organization should have dynamic and self newlinemotivating teams newlineThis research work initially identified the software process newlineimprovement pertaining to both traditional and agile software methodologies newlineRoles of an agile coach in a newly transitioned agile software development newlineteam and activity of the team members who work with approaches such as XP newlineand scrum were analyzed The challenges faced by the team members and newlinetheir coach during the initial days of their project were identified Factors newlineinfluencing the support from the top management and the level of customer newlineinvolvement were also discussed Workings of the agile software newlinedevelopment projects were inferred based on face to face discussions with a newlineset of practitioners and observations carried out in organizations that work newlinewith agile software development A questionnaire was also circulated to the newlinesoftware practitioners to find their perceptions on the issues while working newlinewith the agile software development newlineThe results of this research provide greater understanding of the newlineroles played by agile coach and other team members the importance of newlinecustomer involvement and the role of top management when working with newlineagile approach to development activities These insights are expected to make newlinethe transition to agile development approach by development organizations newlinesmooth or less painful newline newline