Analysing the Obstacles in Agile Software Development Approach: A Review

The development of reusable and extensible software for business purposes has been the hallmark of the day. More developers are taking advantage of numerous approaches towards reaching their goals. One such approach is the agile approach in the development of extensible applications which has become so popular since its introduction over a decade ago. Using an agile approach that has a defined value in developing applications portray numerous benefits which have been identified by various scholars pointing out their outcomes as motivating factors of its adoption. With all such outline benefits, there exist some potential obstacles to agile developmental approach which has not been fully addressed. Hence, this article is aimed at analysing the obstacles which software developers face during agile development through a database search and also to guide them on ways to overcome such obstacles.

Reuse in Agile Development Process

Reusability is a clear principle in software development. However, systematic reuse of software elements is not common in most organizations. Application programmers rarely design and create software elements for possible future reuse. In many agile software development processes, the project teams believe that the development of reusable software elements can slow down the project. This can be a misconception. This chapter examines various ways to reuse software. Three approaches to developing reusable software artifacts from 15 years of experience in the agile development process are presented. The first approach is to create generic programs or configurable frameworks that support similar solutions for a variety of use cases and environments. The reuse of patterns is the second approach presented. Another effective way is to use a model-driven approach with model patterns. These approaches help to speed deployment software. The final product is flexible and can easily be adapted to changes. This is one of the main goals of an agile approach.

Requirements on Dimensions for a Maturity Model for Smart Grids Based on Two Case Studies

This contribution describes two different types of requirements engineering analysis of the necessary dimensions of a possible maturity model for Smart Grids to be implemented for utilities. For the first case study, the requirements engineering for necessary dimensions for a Smart Grid maturity model was elicited using a systematic literature research. On the contrary a more agile approach is used for the second requirements engineering. For this more agile approach, interviews with energy suppliers were conducted, taking into account the analysis of the literature research. Various energy suppliers from Germany took part in the survey. The results were used to develop the basic framework for a maturity model for Smart Grids, which can still be tailored if necessary. Finally, future research activities for the application and further development of maturity models for Smart Grids in the energy industry are explained as well as the different procedural variants in the requirements analysis.

Effective Agile IT Governance Mechanisms in Higher Education Institutions

Higher education institutions (HEIs) rely heavily on information technology (IT) to create innovations. Therefore, IT governance (ITG) is essential for education activities, particularly during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, the traditional concept of ITG is not fully equipped to deal with the current changes occurring in the digital age. Today's ITG requires an agile approach that can respond to disruptions in the HEI environment. Consequently, universities increasingly need to adopt agile strategies to ensure superior performance. This research proposes a conceptualization comprising three agile dimensions within the ITG construct: structures, processes, and relational mechanisms. An extensive qualitative evaluation of industry uncovered 46 agile governance mechanisms. Moreover, 16 professors rated these elements to assess agile ITG in their HEIs to determine those most effective for HEIs. This led to the identification of four structure elements, seven processes, and seven relational mechanisms.

Implication of Budgeting on Contemporary Project Management

It is the total sum of money allocated for the specific project for a specific period of time. The goal of the project budget is to cost control. The objective of this chapter is to give the implication of budgeting on contemporary project management. The main focus of this chapter is to discuss the introduction, history, agile approach, etc. It has a direct impact on the company's financial feasibility. The research would discuss the approaches for the projects budget estimation and various steps for cost control. There are two types of reserves against risks: one is the contingency reserve for identified risk, and the other is the management reserve for unidentified risks. The project manager needs to be aware of existing resources acquisition policies, guidelines, and procedures. The author discusses the procedures for project budgeting and methods for evaluation of project budgeting.

Codeveloping an effective EMPA to maturity in an acute NHS Trust: an implementer report

IntroductionUniversity Hospitals Leicester has codeveloped, with Nervecentre, an Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System that meets specific clinical and interoperability demands of the National Health Service (NHS).MethodsThe system was developed through a frontline-led and agile approach with a project team consisting of clinicians, Information Technology (IT) specialists and the vendor’s representatives over an 18-month period.ResultsThe system was deployed successfully with more than a thousand transcriptions during roll-out. Despite the high caseload and novelty of the system, there was no increase in error rates within the first 3 months of roll-out. Healthcare professionals perceived the new system as efficient with improved clinical workflow, and safe through an integrated medication alert system.DiscussionThis case study demonstrates how NHS trusts can successfully co-develop, with vendors, new IT systems which meet interoperability standards such as Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, while improving front line clinical experience.ConclusionAlternative methods to the ‘big bang’ deployment of IT projects, such as ‘gradual implementation’, must be demonstrated and evaluated for their ability to deliver digital transformation projects in the NHS successfully.

Formation of students' competitiveness in the vuca world

The purpose of the article is to study the influence of the Vuca-world on the professional training of students and their competitiveness. The study presents an analysis of adaptations of an agile approach that meets the requirements of Vuca, a test of the formation of the level of competitiveness of students of a higher education institution according to the selected criteria. The study found that the training of students in the Vuca-world is becoming more technological, aimed at the formation of independent and creative specialists who can solve problems in interaction. The level of students' competitiveness in the new environment is getting higher.

An agile approach to co-creation of the curriculum

The importance of developing meaningful student engagement through partnerships is an increasing area of interest and practice within the context of learning and teaching in higher education. This case study reports on an approach used in a co-created curriculum project that aligned the values and principles of student-staff partnerships with those of an agile framework. Through an analysis of the individual team reflections captured during and after the project, the study explores how the agile approach could help address imbalances of power between students and staff in higher education. The results of the study show that team members found that working in this new way increased confidence in co-creating teaching and learning with staff and fostered a positive team relationship, although some reflections indicate that assumptions of power are deeply embedded within the structures and roles of higher education. However, our findings suggest that this way of working can result in positive experiences for students and staff and could be applied to a wide range of student-staff partnership projects.

Monitoring Student Performance Through an Agile Project Based Assessment Strategy for Distance Higher Education

This article presents an observational qualitative study regarding the use of agile methodologies in implementing project-based student assessment procedures in higher education courses. The study comprised 32 students enrolled in an online Biology class in a public university in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Students underwent two types of activities: first using traditional project-based learning; second using an agile approach based on the EduScum methodology. Results demonstrated that the agile methodology enforced student engagement, especially collaboration aspects. Interactions between students and teachers became more acute and straightforward. Moreover, it became easier for teachers to monitor students' performance throughout the course. This, this study provides highlights to enable schools to improve students' assessment procedures in distance education courses

MODERN TOOLS OF IT COMPANIES' PROJECT ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT

The article focuses on the importance of project management in the IT companies’ activity, which is determined by the specifics of enterprises offering digital products and business models, as well as the peculiarities of relationships between enterprises as participants of distribution channels. The study describes the main types of IT companies, in particular, identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each type of companies. Significant differences in the activities of product and outsourcing IT companies have been identified, the main conditions for successful positioning of product IT companies have been outlined, which are: participants in project activities, phases of the digital product life cycle and the chosen business model. The specifics of the enterprises' activity – manufacturers of products and the involvement of product IT companies in this activity have been determined to be promising from the point of view of income maximizing for the participants of vertical sales channels. The example of GMDH Streamline describes the activities of a product IT company that offers effective IT solutions, in particular for forecasting supply and demand, as well as inventory planning. The article describes the proposed GMDH Streamline software solution, namely the improvement of the ERP system, and the Agile approach used in the project management process. The proposed study can be a source of information for further research on the search for mechanisms to maximize the income of enterprises – manufacturers using modern software solutions to optimize stocks, as well as forecasting the demand and supply. Theoretical provisions highlighted in the article on the possibilities of building effective sales chains in terms of planning the costs of operating activities, in particular for manufacturers can have significant practical value for company management.