Previous research has focused on both challenges and opportunities with increased distance in distributed software development. Interestingly most opportunities are found on customer level in large business organizations where most challenges are introduced at the level of development practice. Distance has been recognized as major challenge to the use of agile methods. In this paper, we are trying to fulfill the upcoming demands for managing major challenges of agile in distributed environment.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Material and Methodology
2.1 Challenges in Agile Distributed Development/Environment
3. Tables and Findings
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to explore the challenges of implementing agile software development methods within distributed environments. The research investigates how geographical, temporal, and sociocultural distances impact team communication, control, and cohesion, ultimately proposing adapted agile practices to reconcile these hurdles with evolving business needs.
- The impact of geographical and temporal distance on agile team dynamics.
- Balancing formal and informal communication in distributed settings.
- Strategies for maintaining trust and team cohesion across distributed sites.
- Adapting agile practices to meet modern, distributed development requirements.
Excerpt from the Book
1:Introduction
The world around us has changed. Everything seems to happen faster and more unexpected than before. There is dramatically more uncertainty and change out there, and it started long before the financial crisis. There will be more change in the future. Companies are shifting from mass production orientation to knowledge intensive organizations where the human capital is the most valued asset. Companies need to realize that their people are actually highly competent and mature, and expect to be empowered, appreciated, and well - treated as adults. People both want and can take responsibility. In this new environment, we need to respond faster and think differently about what best motivates and drives great performance in organizations.
Distributed software development and global sharing of information and resources have become a common business reality. Moreover, the changing business needs force organizations to develop and evolve new software systems at internet speeds. Distributed software development typically relies on formal mechanisms such as detailed architectural design and plans to address barriers to team communication that result from geographical separation. Distributed software development is establishing itself as a commonplace approach in software development. Despite the opportunities, distributed development also presents a host of challenges, and the research community has not yet developed a thorough understanding of these challenges or how they can be overcome.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the shift toward knowledge-intensive organizations and the necessity of agile methods in a business environment characterized by rapid change and distributed software development.
2. Material and Methodology: This section details the specific hurdles encountered in distributed agile environments, including communication barriers, lack of control, trust issues, and the three dimensions of distance.
3. Tables and Findings: This chapter maps identified challenges in distributed development to specific agile features and recommended practices to mitigate communication and coordination issues.
Keywords
Agile in distributed environment, Agile team dynamics, Customer communication challenges, Coordination among team members, Time distances, Geographical distance, Sociocultural distance, Distributed software development, Software quality, Iterative development, Team cohesion, Informal communication, Formal processes, Adaptive planning, Knowledge intensive organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper examines the challenges of integrating agile development methods within distributed, geographically separated software development teams.
What are the core themes addressed in this work?
The central themes include the impact of distance (temporal, geographical, sociocultural) on agile performance, the balance between formal and informal communication, and strategies to foster trust and cohesion in remote teams.
What is the main objective of the study?
The objective is to address the demand for managing key challenges in distributed agile environments by identifying how agile and distributed approaches can be balanced effectively.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The authors utilize a review of existing trends and challenges, synthesizing these into a framework that maps identified difficulties to practical, agile-based solutions for distributed project teams.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section analyzes specific challenges like communication barriers, lack of control, and distance constraints, followed by a mapping of these challenges to agile practices that help resolve them.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Agile in distributed environment, Agile team dynamics, Customer communication, Distributed software development, and Team cohesion.
How do agile methods differ from traditional methods in handling unpredictability?
Unlike plan-based methods that rely on formalized processes, agile methods trust in people and creative efforts, remaining flexible and value-driven in the face of change.
Why is "lack of team cohesion" a significant problem in this context?
Participants in different locations often struggle to perceive themselves as part of a single unit, which hampers the constant, cooperative interaction required for successful agile development.
- Quote paper
- Sania Nayab (Author), Sadia Anwar (Author), Samina Sagheer (Author), 2014, Challenges of Implementation of Agile In Distributed Environment, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/286438
