Agile Development at Scale: The Next Frontier

TL;DR

Agile development methods have evolved from small team projects to large-scale, multi-team implementations across various domains, emphasizing feedback, change, and continuous delivery.

Contribution

This paper reviews the evolution and adaptation of agile methods from small teams to large-scale, complex projects in diverse contexts.

Findings

Agile methods are now used in large, multi-team projects.

Scrum is the most common agile framework worldwide.

Agile practices have expanded beyond software to other disciplines.

Abstract

Agile methods have transformed the way software is developed, emphasizing active end-user involvement, tolerance to change, and evolutionary delivery of products. The first special issue on agile development described the methods as focusing on "feedback and change". These methods have led to major changes in how software is developed. Scrum is now the most common framework for development in most countries, and other methods like extreme programming (XP) and elements of lean software development and Kanban are widely used. What started as a bottom-up movement amongst software practitioners and consultants has been taken up by major international consulting companies who prescribe agile development, particularly for contexts where learning and innovation are key. Agile development methods have attracted interest primarily in software engineering, but also in a number of other disciplines including information systems and project management. The agile software development methods were originally targeted towards small, co-located development teams, but are increasingly applied in other contexts. They were initially used to develop Web systems and internal IT systems, but are now used in a range of domains, including mission-critical systems. Methods that were designed for single teams of 5-9 developers have been adapted for use in projects with tens of teams, hundreds of developers, which can involve integration with hundreds of existing systems and affect hundreds of thousands of users.