Lal, Anshu Singh (2024) Best practices of information technology project managers leading agile projects. EdD thesis, Pepperdine University, USA.
Abstract
Within software development, various methodologies are leveraged to structure the software development process. Among these methodologies, the waterfall and agile models are most popular. Historically, in software development, the waterfall methodology has been applied to IT projects and project management has aligned with this plan-driven approach. Recently, due to its flexible nature, software development trends have resulted in an increased adoption of the agile methodology within organizations. The Agile methodology is an incremental, iterative software development methodology. This approach transforms the larger project into smaller segments that are iteratively developed and delivered for utilization. This methodology is dependent on deliverables completed by a cross-functional team. The Agile methodology is carried out using a wide variety of frameworks and models, including Scrum, Kanban, and Kaizen. Agile principles do not define the role of a Project Manager. However, organizations continue to require Project Management support in conjunction with Agile Software Development. These needs include Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) stages of initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure, support gaps in the standard Scrum Master and Product Owner roles, while managing triple constraints of time, scope, and resources.Research literature has indicated that limited support for Agile Project Management (APM) exists. Additionally, existing resources provide limited support and lack the structure necessary to enable APM practitioners. In alignment with the literature, this qualitative phenomenological study leveraged semi-structured interviews to study the lived experience of Agile IT PM subject matter experts in this domain. Through the interview process, data aggregated was utilized to define the best practices of Project Managers leading Agile projects. Additionally, the study identified challenges and obstacles experienced by Agile IT PMs, methods to define and track success, and recommendations for practitioners in this domain. The results of this study are intended to inform Agile IT PM practitioners, Agile teams, and organizations seeking to leverage the Agile methodology for software development of methods to generate success and overcome hurdles that are inherent to the practice.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Miramontes, Gabriella and Madjidi, Farzin |
| Index terms: | phenomenological study, project manager, owner, monitoring, best practice, project management, interview, software development, methodology, practitioner, body of knowledge, information technology |
| Subjects: | control systems, computing systems, data collection methods, profession, business, methods and analysis, project management theory and practice, software systems, sociology, practitioner, knowledge management, research methods |
| Topics: | Project Management, Engineering Principles, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Information Management, Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Site Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here