Management of cross-team interfaces in large-scale agile development
Name
1262990574-MIT.pdf
Size
1.53 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
4a57d63450372db1d6c6c3344b69d543
Author(s)
Crofoot, Lisa.
Advisor(s)
Steven D. Eppinger.
Date Issued
2020
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Agile product development promises improved productivity, fast development cycles, and high employee satisfaction. Large-scale agile development frameworks (e.g., SAFe, Sage, Scrum [at symbol] Scale, Spotify, LeSS) adapt agile principles for programs where multiple teams must work together to build complex products and services. In this research, we explore how large-scale agile organizations manage cross-team interfaces and dependencies. We reviewed existing frameworks and interviewed fourteen individuals from six different organizations. We learned that many large-scale agile practices act as coordination mechanisms. Large-scale agile programs use these coordination mechanisms to: (1) reduce the quantity and complexity of cross-team interfaces; (2) identify interfaces up front; (3) surface interfaces as they emerge in development; (4) manage interfaces during development; and (5) build a shared understanding between teams. Experienced practitioners consider how agile roles, events, artifacts, and other mechanisms contribute to coordination in each of these areas. While large-scale agile frameworks provide recommended practices, we suggest programs should adapt these approaches to fit their specific needs. Future research may help to evolve large-scale agile practices by further exploring: product, process and program architecture, coordination mechanisms and effectiveness, and leadership and accountability.
Description
Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, System Design and Management Program, May, 2020
Cataloged from the official version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 59-61).
Subjects
Engineering and Management Program.
System Design and Management Program.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering and Management Program
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MIT theses may be protected by copyright. Please reuse MIT thesis content according to the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy, which is available through the URL provided.
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