Agile software development methods are characterized by developer’s empowerment through self-organization, incremental requirements and constant knowledge sharing. Despite some effort to elaborate how successfully agile methods can be applied in co-located development teams, little is known on how the same is done when the development teams are distributed. Our research focus is to uncover factors that influence the successful application of agile methods in distributed development teams using a software development company as our case study. With three distributed teams applying different agile methods, we conducted focused ethnography alongside interviews to comprehend what and how various factors under distributed development teams influence successful agile methods application. It seems, all that matters is team structure, team spirit, effective communication, product requirements, and knowledge sharing. The team structure has more influence than other factors and therefore our suggestions for successful application of agile methods in distributed software development is to focus on the development team, above all factors. The analysis shows that the development methods themselves have little to do with the successful application of agile methods in distributed software development teams.

This article presents the implementation of ISO/IEC 29110 in a four-person IT startup company in Peru. After completing the implementation of the ISO/IEC 29110 project management and software implementation processes using an agile approach, the next step was to execute these processes in a project with an actual customer: software that facilitates communication between clients and legal consultants at the second-largest insurance companies in Peru. Managing the project and developing the software took about 900 hours. Using ISO/ IEC 29110 software engineering practices enabled the startup to plan and execute the project while expending only 18 percent of the total project effort on rework (i.e., wasted effort). In this article, the authors also describe the steps and the effort required by the VSE to be granted an ISO/IEC 29110 certificate of conformity. The startup became the first Peruvian VSE to obtain an ISO/IEC 29110 certification. The ISO/IEC 29110 certification facilitated access to new clients and larger projects.

The ascension and use of agile and lightweight software development methods have challenged extant software design and development paradigms; this is especially notable in the case of small-team and small-shop software development. In this dissertation, a Reflective-Agile Learning Method and Methodology (RALMM) for small-shop software development, is proposed to enhance communication and learning in the use of agile methods. The purpose of the inquiry in this dissertation pertains to: the nature of the professional practice of small team software development; the implications of the epistemology of Reflective Practice has for the professional practice of small-team software development; and whether the introduction of Reflective Practice to an extant agile methodology improves process, productivity and professional confidence for a small development team. This dissertation uses Dialogical Action Research (Mårtensson and Lee 2004), or Dialogical AR, a qualitative and interpretive research approach, to iteratively develop and refine the Reflective-Agile Learning Model and Method (RALMM). The proposed model and method also considers Hazzan and Tomayko’s (2002, 2004, and 2005) synthesis of Schön’s (1983, 1987) Reflective Practice and Extreme Programming (XP). RALMM is shaped by Argyris and Schön’s theories of practice (1974) and Organizational Learning (1978, 1996) and Schön’s ancillary work on generative metaphor (1979) and frames (Schön et al. 1994). The RALMM artifact was developed in a Dialogical AR Partnership using Lee’s (2007) framework for synthesizing design science and action research. The development and use of RALMM facilitated theorizing on the role of Reflective Practice in the successful use of agile methods. To assist in interpretation and analysis, the data collected during Dialogical AR cycles are analyzed using Strauss and Corbin’s (1998) Grounded Theory as a mode of analysis to guide in the coding and analysis of qualitative evidence from the research. As a result of this research, RALMM improved the practitioners’ processes and productivity. Furthermore, RALMM helped to establish, formalize and reinforce a team learning system for the continued development of the practitioners’ professional repertoire. Additionally, the iterative development of RALMM provides a basis for theorizing on Reflective Practice as an epistemology, paradigm, metaphor and frame of reference for the professional practice of small-shop software development.

Background: In various industries, market power is concentrated on a few major companies, which makes competition increasingly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises. Those SMEs are furthermore impacted by the characteristics of their industry and need to change constantly and adapt to maintain competitive in this challenging market environment. The IT sector is characterized by a high degree of digitalization, quickly changing customer needs, and short lifecycles. Thus, many IT firms apply agile working methods, increase working in teams, and use different digital tools and applications. In many cases, those adjustments also impact the organizational structure of the firm and require a change in management. Purpose: In the context of a medium-sized IT firm, this study aims to evaluate the effects of digitalization on management innovation in project teams. Method: To gain a deep understanding of the researched topic, we chose a qualitative interview-based study. We collected the data for this single-case study in semi-structured interviews and applied purposeful sampling (theory based). For the data analysis, we used content analysis (open code; grouping; categorization). Conclusion: We developed a framework describing the influence of digitalization on management innovation in six dimensions, which emerged in the study. Those dimensions are project teams, virtual teams, communication & collaboration, trust, technology, as well as leadership & management. Digitalization strongly influences management innovations in all six identified fields. Digitalization, management innovation, and the respective field are interdependent. In our case, we found that digitalization acts as an enabler or simplifier for management innovation in all six dimensions.

A expansão vertiginosa do uso de Sistemas Web como ferramenta de negócio colocou grande pressão sobre o desenvolvimento de software, exigindo entrega deresultado tangível cada vez mais rápido, num ambiente altamente instável e dinâmico. Em resposta a essas necessidades, surgiu uma nova classe de metodologias de desenvolvimento de software, conhecidas como Metodologias Ágeis. Este trabalho apresenta as principais características desta nova classe de metodologias, analisando em detalhes três dos principais Métodos Ágeis existentes. O objetivo primordial deste trabalho é a definição de um Método Ágil especializado para as características dos Sistemas Web, ou usando uma terminologia mais alinhada com a base filosófica que permeia o trabalho, o objetivo é a criação de um Ecossistema de Desenvolvimento Ágil de software, especializado para Sistemas Web / The vertiginous expansion of the use of the Web Systems as business tool imposed great pressure on the software development, demanding delivery of tangible result faster time, in an unstable and highly dynamic environment. In response to these necessities, appeared a new methodology class of software development: Agile Methodologies. This work presents the main characteristics of this new kind of methodologies, analyzing in details three of the main existing Agile Methods. The primordial objective of this work is the definition of a specialized Agile Method for the characteristics of the Web Systems, or using a terminology aligned with the philosophical base of this work, the objective is the creation of an Ecosystem of Agile Software Development, focused on Web Systems

A modelagem evolutiva de bancos de dados é necessária devido às frequentes mudanças de requisitos das aplicações. O desafio é ainda maior quando o banco de dados tem de atender simultaneamente a várias aplicações. A solução proposta por Scott Ambler para evolução utiliza refatorações e define um período de transição, durante o qual tanto o esquema antigo quanto o novo coexistem e os dados são replicados por meio de um processo síncrono que apresenta várias dificuldades, como a interferência no funcionamento normal das aplicações. Para minimizar essas dificuldades, esta tese propõe um processo assíncrono para manter atualizados esses esquemas e apresenta um protótipo de uma ferramenta para auxiliar as evoluções dos bancos de dados. A proposta foi validada por meio de um experimento em laboratório que comparou a solução aqui apresentada com a proposta por Ambler. / Evolutionary database modeling is necessary due to the frequent changes in application requirements. The challenge is greater when the database must support multiple applications simultaneously. The solution for evolution proposed by Scott Ambler is refactoring with a transition period, during which both the old and the new database schemas coexist and data is replicated via a synchronous process, what brings several difficulties, such as interference with the normal operation of applications. To minimize these difficulties, this thesis proposes an asynchronous process to keep these schemas updated and presents a prototype tool to evolve databases. The proposal was validated by a laboratory experiment in which the solution presented here was compared with the one proposed by Ambler.

Over the years, the rapid advance of the computer and communication technologies has significantly changed the way in which the society communicates and conducts business. Similarly, changes have occurred in the way in which educational resources are designed, developed and made available to learners. Following this trend, the development and adoption of Open Educational Resources (OERs) has been gaining more supporters across the world, as a means to expand access to knowledge and improve education. Indeed, the free and open distribution of educational resources helps disseminate knowledge, facilitates access to information and promotes the democratisation of access to education, benefiting society as a whole. While OERs can bring benefits to, and impact on education, there are still challenges to their widespread production and adoption. One of the challenges faced by developers (including educators and practitioners) of OERs is to produce quality and relevant learning materials, capable of being reused and adapted in different contexts and learning situations. Also, there is a need for mechanisms that provide higher productivity of the development process and quality of the resulting OERs. This work aims to investigate the development of OERs and establish flexible approaches to effectively support the design and creation of these resources. In this context, an agile method for the development and sharing of OERs, named AM-OER, was established. It is grounded on practices of Software Engineering and on practices of Learning Design. Such practices are embedded in the development of OERs aiming at improving quality and facilitating reuse and adaptation. The ultimate aim of AM-OER is to support the development of quality OERs, able to motivate and guide learners in the process of knowledge construction. Preliminary empirical assessments were conducted to validate AM-OER through its application in the design and creation of courses in the free and open source software development and software testing domain. The results obtained so far have shown that the method is feasible and effective for the design and creation of OERs. / Ao longo dos anos, o rápido avanço nas tecnologias computacionais e de comunicação vem alterando de forma significativa o modo com que a sociedade se comunica e conduz seus negócios. De forma análoga, mudanças vêm ocorrendo na maneira com que os recursos educacionais são projetados, desenvolvidos e disponibilizados aos aprendizes. Seguindo essa tendência, o desenvolvimento e a adoção de Recursos Educacionais Abertos (REAs) vêm ganhando cada vez mais adeptos em todo o mundo, como uma forma de ampliar o acesso ao conhecimento e melhorar a educação. De fato, a distribuição livre e aberta de recursos educacionais contribui para a disseminação de conhecimento e facilita o acesso à informação, além de promover a democratização do acesso à educação, beneficiando a sociedade como um todo. Embora REAs possam trazer benefícios e impacto sobre a educação, ainda existem muitos desafios para sua ampla produção e adoção. Um dos desafios enfrentados pelos desenvolvedores (incluindo educadores e praticantes) de REAs é produzir materiais de aprendizagem de qualidade, capazes de serem reusados e adaptados a diferentes contextos e situações de aprendizagem. Evidencia-se também a necessidade de mecanismos que propiciem o aumento da produtividade do processo de desenvolvimento e da qualidade dos REAs elaborados. Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar o desenvolvimento de REAs e estabelecer abordagens flexíveis para apoiar efetivamente o projeto e a criação desses recursos. Nesse contexto, um método ágil para o desenvolvimento e disponibilização de REAs, AM-OER, foi estabelecido. O método é fundamentado em práticas da Engenharia de Software e práticas de projeto de aprendizagem (Learning Design), incorporadas no desenvolvimento de REAs no intuito de melhorar a sua qualidade e facilitar o reúso e adaptação. O objetivo final do método é apoiar o desenvolvimento de REAs de qualidade, capazes de motivar e guiar os aprendizes no processo de construção de conhecimento. Avaliações empíricas preliminares foram conduzidas para validar o AM-OER por meio de sua aplicação no projeto e criação de cursos nos domínios de desenvolvimento de software livre e teste de software. Os resultados obtidos até o momento demonstram que o método é viável e eficaz no projeto e criação de REAs.

A Engenharia de Software é uma disciplina que tem entre seus objetivos melhorar a produtividade dos processos de desenvolvimento de software, assim como propiciar qualidade ao produto resultante desses processos. Para mensurar a qualidade dos produtos de software, foram criados modelos de qualidade, que recomendam métricas, processos e atividades que passaram a se tornar parte do dia-a-dia do desenvolvimento de projetos em empresas. Considerando outra perspectiva, a indústria de software tem adotado cada vez mais os métodos ágeis. Esses métodos foram desenvolvidos visando a entrega rápida do software, com ciclos curtos e adaptáveis de desenvolvimento, foco na comunicação direta e baixo volume de documentação. Considerando a importância do tema qualidade de software, e a baixa aderência dos modelos tradicionais de qualidade aos métodos ágeis, o objetivo deste projeto foi investigar o tema qualidade de software no contexto ágil, ou seja, estudar quais métricas de qualidade são empregadas nesse processo de desenvolvimento. Para isso foram realizados dois estudos empíricos, um estudo de caso e um survey, sobre atividades de garantia e controle de qualidade, métricas de qualidade de software, processos e ferramentas utilizadas no desenvolvimento de software. Os resultados obtidos guiaram a construção de uma ferramenta de apoio para avaliação da qualidade durante o desenvolvimento ágil de software. Os resultados dos estudos mostraram que a execução constante de atividades como revisão de código e refatoração, são fatores essenciais para garantia de qualidade nos métodos ágeis. Outro resultado encontrado foi o de que praticantes de métodos ágeis são entusiastas do processo de desenvolvimento utilizado. Eles conhecem o método e praticam com alta fidelidade os passos definidos pelo processo. É possível concluir que os métodos ágeis possuem diversas atividades como foco na garantia de qualidade de seu produto desde os estágios iniciais do desenvolvimento. A cultura ágil cria um ambiente propício para motivação e engajamento das equipes de desenvolvimento, fato que reflete positivamente na qualidade final dos produtos / One of the main objectives of Software Engineering is to improve the productivity of software development processes, as well as providing quality to the product resulting from such processes. Thus, quality models were defined to measure the software quality. Those models recommend metrics, processes and activities that became part of day-to-day on development companies. Considering another perspective, the software industry has increasingly adopted agile methods. These methods were developed considering rapid software delivery, with short and adaptable development cycles, focusing on direct communication and low volume of documentation. Considering the importance of software quality and the low compliance of agile methods to traditional quality models, this project aimed to investigate software quality in agile development environments, in other words, to research wich quality metrics are employed in these development processes. Considering this objective, two empirical studies were designed, a case study and a survey. These studies have explored themes like software quality control, software quality assurance, quality metrics, development process and development tools that are employed on software development. The results guided the construction of a tool to support the quality evaluation during the agile development. The studies results showed that the high frequency of activities such as code review and refactoring, are essential factors for assuring quality on projects using agile methods. Another result was found regarding developers behavior. Agile practitioners are enthusiasts of the development process they use. They have a high level of compliance to development process they use. It is possible to conclude that agile methods have several activities focused on the quality assurance of its own products since the initial stages of development. The agile culture creates a convenient environment that engages and motivates the development teams. This fact has a positive effect on the product quality

Os Métodos Ágeis surgiram no final da década passada como uma alternativa aos métodos tradicionais de desenvolvimento de software. Eles propõem uma nova abordagem para o desenvolvimento, eliminando gastos com documentação excessiva e burocrática, enfatizando a comunicação, colaboração com o cliente e as atividades que trazem valor imediato na produção de software com qualidade. Por meio de um processo empírico, com ciclos constantes de inspeção e adaptação, a equipe trabalha sempre num ambiente de melhoria contínua. Uma das atividades propostas pela Programação Extrema (XP) para guiar a equipe em direção à melhoria é conhecida como tracking. O papel do tracker é coletar métricas para auxiliar a equipe a entender o andamento do projeto. Encontrar maneiras eficazes de avaliar o processo e a equipe de desenvolvimento não é uma tarefa simples. Além disso, alguns dos possíveis problemas não são facilmente reconhecidos a partir de dados quantitativos. Este trabalho investiga o uso de métricas no acompanhamento de projetos utilizando Métodos Ágeis de desenvolvimento de software. Um estudo de caso da aplicação de XP em sete projetos acadêmicos e governamentais foi conduzido para validar algumas dessas métricas e para avaliar o nível de aderência às práticas propostas, com o objetivo de auxiliar o tracker de uma equipe ágil. / Agile Methods appeared at the end of the last decade as an alternative to traditional software development methods. They propose a new style of development, eliminating the cost of excessive and bureaucratic documentation, and emphasizing the interactions between people collaborating to achieve high productivity and deliver high-quality software. With an empirical process, based on constant inspect-and-adapt cycles, the team works towards an environment of continuous improvement. One of the practices proposed by Extreme Programming (XP) to enable the creation of such environment is called tracking. The role of a tracker is to collect metrics that support the team on understanding their current process. Finding effective ways to evaluate the team and the development process is not an easy task. Also, some of the possible problems are not always easily recognizable from quantitative data alone. This work investigates the use of metrics for tracking projects using Agile Methods for software development. A case study on the adoption of XP in seven academic and governmental projects was conducted to validate some of these metrics and to evaluate the level of adherence to the proposed practices, with the goal of assisting and supporting the tracker of an agile team.

A escolha entre o uso de metodologias ágeis ou metodologias tradicionais de desenvolvimento de software continua sendo amplamente discutida em vários aspectos, sendo um deles a presença ou ausência de certos fatores que precisam ser identificados para que as aplicações das metodologias sejam realizadas com sucesso. Neste estudo, tanto metodologias ágeis quanto tradicionais são discutidas através da literatura desde seu surgimento, histórico e evolução, até estudos comparativos entre ambas e outros com evidências empíricas, embora ainda haja a necessidade de estudos deste último tipo para o domínio. Com o intuito de avaliar as adequações dos tipos de metodologia para os diferentes cenários que uma organização ou projeto pode apresentar a partir dos fatores encontrados na literatura, foram realizadas entrevistas e questionários com pessoas envolvidas em desenvolvimento e definição de processos de desenvolvimento de software em um estudo de caso em empresa selecionada para a obtenção de mais evidências empíricas sobre o tema. Com os resultados obtidos, identifica-se então entre os fatores estudados quais são habilitadores e quais são inibidores para cada tipo de metodologia, propondo-se um modelo para a escolha de um ou de outro tipo a partir da presença ou ausência destes fatores nos cenários de aplicação das metodologias. / The choice between agile or traditional software development methodologies continues to be widely discussed in several aspects, being one of these aspects that certain factors presence or absence must be identified for methodologies usage to be successful. In this study, both agile and traditional methodologies are discussed on the domain literature from their emergence, historical facts and evolution, to comparative studies and empirical evidences obtained, despite there is still need for studies on this last subject for the domain. In order to evaluate adequacy for both types of methodologies to the different scenarios in which an organization or project may occur considering the factors appointed by literature, interviews and surveys where done with key people involved in software development or software processes in a case study in a selected company for more empirical evidence achievement. Then it is possible to identify between the factors which are enablers and which are inhibitors for each type of methodology, then purposing a model for the choice between the two types from the presence or absence of these factors in the scenarios for their uses.