Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 5-2010 An Exploratory Study on Issues and Challenges of Agile Software Development with Scrum Juyun Joey Cho Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Computer Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Cho, Juyun Joey, "An Exploratory Study on Issues and Challenges of Agile Software Development with Scrum" (2010). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 599. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/599 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON ISSUES AND CHALLENGES OF AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT WITH SCRUM by Juyun Joey Cho A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Education (Management Information Systems) Approved: _____________________________ ______________________________ Dr. David H. Olsen Dr. Jeffery Johnson Major Professor Committee Member _____________________________ ______________________________ Dr. John D. Johnson Dr. Sherry Marx Committee Member Committee Member _____________________________ ______________________________ Dr. Karina Hauser Dr. Byron Burnham Committee Member Dean of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2010 ii Copyright © Juyun Joey Cho 2010 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT An Exploratory Study on Issues and Challenges of Agile Software Development with Scrum by Juyun Joey Cho, Doctor of Philosophy Utah State University, 2010 Major Professor: Dr. David H. Olsen Department: Management Information Systems The purpose of this dissertation was to explore critical issues and challenges that might arise in agile software development processes with Scrum. It also sought to provide management guidelines to help organizations avoid and overcome barriers in adopting the Scrum method as a future software development method. A qualitative research method design was used to capture the knowledge of practitioners and scrutinize the Scrum software development process in its natural settings. An in-depth case study was conducted in two organizations where the Scrum method was fully integrated in every aspect of two organizations’ software development processes. One organization provides large-scale and mission-critical applications and the other provides small- and medium- scale applications. Differences between two organizations provided useful contrasts for the data analysis. Data were collected through an email survey, observations, documents, and semi- structured face-to-face interviews. The email survey was used to refine interview iv questions; all of the interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, and later coded for analysis. Triangulation in the data collection process provided useful information for different perspectives on the issues, allowed for cross-checking, and yielded stronger substantiation of concepts and common categories. In the first round of data analysis, an open coding technique was used to identify possible concepts, along with their properties and dimensions. The open coding technique is a form of content analysis where the data are read and categorized into concepts. In the second round, the codes were reviewed, and the concepts were organized by recurring themes. These themes were used later as a basis for creating a set of stable and common categories. The final stage of data analysis was completed through axial coding, which depends on a synthetic technique of making connections between categories and sub- categories to build a more comprehensive scheme. In the process of data analysis, grounded theory was employed with the aim of generating descriptive and explanatory theory associated with an agile software development process. The research presented four common categories of issues and challenges of the Scrum method, and management guidelines to help organizations that are already using the Scrum method or planning to employ it in the future. The framework for a hybrid software development model is then proposed as a future study. (236 pages) v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I wish to acknowledge the many people who have encouraged and supported me during my work on the doctoral program and on this dissertation. First, I wish to acknowledge the insightful suggestions and advice of my chair, Dr. David Olsen, in the recent push to completion of my dissertation. Dr. Sherry Marx was instrumental in exposing me to much of the essential research methodology and played a key role in helping me establish the foundation of qualitative research skills and knowledge. Through her two qualitative research methodology classes, I was able to perform a pilot study and refine my initial research ideas and approach. The rest of my committee also shared with me their unique insights from their particular fields of specialization - Dr. John Johnson, Dr. Jeff Johnson, and Dr. Karina Hauser. I wish to acknowledge the feedback and support from my colleagues at Colorado State University at Pueblo (CSUP) and many other friends who have enriched my thinking and invigorated my intellectual curiosity by sharing their different interdisciplinary perspectives. I particularly want to mention Dr. Rick Huff at CSUP, who offered unparalleled professional expertise and invaluable suggestions on my dissertation. His contribution to the final stage of my dissertation was enormously helpful. I also thank Dr. Jean Pratt at University of Milwaukee - Eau Claire, who initially led me to a Ph.D. program and the academic world and remained as a role model in the teaching and research field. I wish to acknowledge two firms who allowed me to pursue my field research in their software development environments. Particularly, I want to thank Dr. Dennis vi Phillips, who arranged research resources in his firm and facilitated surveys and interview questions. I also want to thank all the development professionals and my co- workers, who shared with me their expertise, insights, and precious time. I acknowledge my parents, who raised me in good family environment and tried to provide the best possible educational opportunity. Despite the immense geographical distance that separate us, they have offered loving encouragement and support throughout my academic years. My brother and sister were also supportive and took a huge responsibility off of me in taking care of my mother, who passed away last year. I finally acknowledge my wife and eternal soul mate, Dr. Inhae Kim, who encouraged me to get into a Ph.D. program after working for several years in the software industry, believed in my potential abilities, and has supported me with unconditional love and confidence. She and my daughter Megan have brought me a new dimension of life. Without their love and moral support, this dissertation would not have reached its fruition. Juyun Joey Cho vii CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................... III ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... V LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. X LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... XII INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 The Problem .................................................................................................................... 1 Problem Statement .......................................................................................................... 4 REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................................. 5 Introduction and Purpose of the Review of Literature .................................................... 5 Early Stage of Software Development Methods ............................................................. 6 Traditional Software Development Methods .................................................................. 7 Agile Software Development Methods ......................................................................... 12 Overview of Agile Methods...................................................................................... 12 Lean Manufacturing Principles and Agile Methods ................................................. 17 Characteristics, Strengths, Weaknesses of TSDMs and ASDMs ............................ 20 Agile Methods for Large-Scale Projects ................................................................... 21 Scrum Software Development Method ......................................................................... 24 The Philosophical Roots of Scrum ........................................................................... 24 The History and Practices of Scrum ......................................................................... 25 Empirical Process Control ........................................................................................ 27 Framework of Scrum ................................................................................................ 28