Measuring scaled-up agile practices
Salokanto, Sanni (2018-11-02)
Measuring scaled-up agile practices
Salokanto, Sanni
(02.11.2018)
Julkaisu on tekijänoikeussäännösten alainen. Teosta voi lukea ja tulostaa henkilökohtaista käyttöä varten. Käyttö kaupallisiin tarkoituksiin on kielletty.
suljettu
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on:
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2018110747530
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2018110747530
Tiivistelmä
In software development, agile approaches make it possible to have a short delivery cycle and to respond to change effectively. There are several agile frameworks which can be used to achieve these goals, and they provide guidelines for operations such as forming teams or organizing work. Even though agile frameworks were originally designed for small businesses, the scope has since been extended to consider scaled-up organizations as well. Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) is an example of such framework that is suitable for complex business environments. In addition to agile point of view, also lean thinking plays a significant role in SAFe. Lean is a philosophy which purpose is to streamline work by means such as reducing the waste of work, materials and time.
Measuring agile and lean processes is a central theme in this thesis. Previous literature on measuring agile processes of large organizations is scarce. Nevertheless, some frameworks such as SAFe provide a list of several measurements that can be used in the context of agile software development. In addition, there are some measuring methods designed for lean operations. In this thesis, the SAFe measuring practices and their improvement possibilities are investigated from the point of view of one large organization. The research method is hence a single case study, and the research material consists of interviews and documents.
The study suggests that the case company follows SAFe accurately in most of its activities, and for example teams and procedures are organized in accordance with the framework. Agile processes are monitored by several self-assessments and measurements that are targeted at areas such as productivity, quality or performance. The research indicates that the measuring methods of the case company could be improved so that they would follow the theory more rigorously. In addition, the software environment does not always support measuring work well, and consequently it should be revised. There is also a need for educating the employees and the customers comprehensively about the significance of agile measurements in the case company.
Measuring agile and lean processes is a central theme in this thesis. Previous literature on measuring agile processes of large organizations is scarce. Nevertheless, some frameworks such as SAFe provide a list of several measurements that can be used in the context of agile software development. In addition, there are some measuring methods designed for lean operations. In this thesis, the SAFe measuring practices and their improvement possibilities are investigated from the point of view of one large organization. The research method is hence a single case study, and the research material consists of interviews and documents.
The study suggests that the case company follows SAFe accurately in most of its activities, and for example teams and procedures are organized in accordance with the framework. Agile processes are monitored by several self-assessments and measurements that are targeted at areas such as productivity, quality or performance. The research indicates that the measuring methods of the case company could be improved so that they would follow the theory more rigorously. In addition, the software environment does not always support measuring work well, and consequently it should be revised. There is also a need for educating the employees and the customers comprehensively about the significance of agile measurements in the case company.