Implementing Large-Scale Agile - an Analysis of Challenges and Success Factors

Authors

Björn Kischelewski, University of CologneFollow
Janek Richter, University of CologneFollow

Abstract

Agile methods have become a standard in software development projects and large organizations are applying these methods to their projects. The implementation of agile methods in contexts of large and multiple teams that may span across different locations is referred to as large-scale agile. Limited systematic and scientific knowledge about large-scale agile exists that is based on empirical research. Aggregated knowledge is primarily based on experience reports and industry cases. Hence, organizations face difficulties to successfully implement large-scale agile. We conduct an analysis of challenges and success factors that we identified in empirical research. The majority of challenges and success factors correspond to topics such as communication, coordination, and knowledge management. We discuss our results by highlighting distribution among agile methods (e.g. Scrum) and agile frameworks that are designed for large-scale agile by definition (e.g. SAFe). We conclude our paper by discussing limitations and presenting avenues for future research. Our paper contributes to the body of knowledge on large-scale agile implementations and provides a systematic overview of challenges and success factors.

Recommended Citation

Kischelewski, Björn and Richter, Janek, "Implementing Large-Scale Agile - an Analysis of Challenges and Success Factors" (2020). In Proceedings of the 28th European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), An Online AIS Conference, June 15-17, 2020.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2020_rp/176