Agile development for vulnerable populations: lessons learned and recommendations

TL;DR

This paper discusses the challenges and lessons learned from applying agile development methods to software projects for vulnerable populations, emphasizing human-centered approaches and providing practical recommendations.

Contribution

It offers new insights and guidance on managing agile projects specifically tailored for vulnerable groups, based on real-world experience in residential care scenarios.

Findings

Identified key challenges in agile development for vulnerable populations

Provided practical recommendations for human-centered project management

Highlighted the importance of tailored approaches in sensitive contexts

Abstract

In this paper we draw attention to the challenges of managing software projects for vulnerable populations, i.e., people potentially exposed to harm or not capable of protecting their own interests. The focus on human aspects, and particularly, the inclusion of human-centered approaches, has been a popular topic in the software engineering community. We argue, however, that current literature provides little understanding and guidance on how to approach these type of scenarios. Here, we shed some light on the topic by reporting on our experiences in developing innovative solutions for the residential care scenario, outlining potential issues and recommendations.