The document summarizes a research study investigating decision-making in agile software development teams. The study aims to address challenges with the temporal dynamics of decision-making in agile teams, which can impact project outcomes. The research will collect empirical data on how temporal factors affect decision quality in agile teams, and derive recommendations to improve team performance and contribute to the fields of agile methods and decision support.

1. DECISION-MAKING IN AGILE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
TEAMS: SOLVING THE OPTIMAL TIMING PROBLEM
Dr. Niamh O Riordan Centre for Innovation & Structural Change, NUI Galway, Ireland
Dr. Tom Acton J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics & Lero, NUI Galway, Ireland
Prof. Kieran Conboy Associate Professor, Information Systems, Technology and Management Australian School of
Business, The University of New South Wales, Sydney & Lero, NUI Galway, Ireland
Prof. Willie Golden Dean of College of Business, Public Policy & Law, NUI Galway, Ireland
InterTradeIreland Innovation Conference 2012
12 and 13 June 2012
National University of Ireland, Galway

2. • Agile methods are an innovative approach to
software development
• They are
– organic, flexible and empowered teams
– working in active and close collaboration with customers
– over a series of rapid development iterations
• They deliver
✔ Productivity gains
✔ Quality gains
… But there’s a catch.

3. • Decision-making in agile teams is
– decentralised and pluralistic
– frequent and short-term
– dynamically complex (decisions are highly inter-related)
– time constrained
– resource constrained
– often unstructured
– minimally documented
The problem is that decision outcomes ultimately
impact upon project outcomes

4. Our research indicates that temporal problems are a key barrier to success in agile teams
∴ This research-in-progress investigates the temporal dynamics of decision-making in agile
teams

5. • This research-in-progress is designed to
– Address repeated calls for research on decision-making in agile teams
(e.g. Drury et al., 2012; McAvoy and Butler, 2009; Zannier and Maurer, 2007)
– Deliver empirical data on decision making in agile teams
– Identify temporal factors affecting decision quality in agile teams
– Derive practical recommendations to improve team performance
– Develop a theoretical understanding of decentralised decision making in
dynamic contexts
… and ultimately to contribute to research on (i) agile methods and (ii) the
broader field of decision support

6. Thank You
niamh.oriordan@nuigalway.ie
InterTradeIreland Innovation Conference 2012
Delivered as part of the InterTradeIreland All-Island Innovation Programme
12 and 13 June 2012
National University of Ireland, Galway

7. Thank You
niamh.oriordan@nuigalway.ie
InterTradeIreland Innovation Conference 2012
Delivered as part of the InterTradeIreland All-Island Innovation Programme
12 and 13 June 2012
National University of Ireland, Galway