Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations are faced with ever increasing complexity. While there are many responses to
complexity just as there are many definitions of complexity this thesis highlights the use of
agile software development as a useful method. The case of agile software development is
influenced by its people first approach and minimal process implementation to implement
constraints in which phenomena of complexity can be understood.
Chapter 1 introduces why complexity is relevant in the organisation today and the issues
associated with complexity. A basic introduction to agile software development and why it is
a response to complexity is tabled.
Chapter 2 investigates the concepts of complexity. To highlight the difference between linear
and non-linear systems and reductionistic thinking the ideas that not all things are complex is
explored. Key concepts of complex systems are described to come to a better understanding
of what entails a complex system. Information theory and dynamic systems are discussed
including system attributes such as attractors and bifurcations. Finally the theory of complex
adaptive systems is presented and a classification of all complexity theories is tabled.
Chapter 3 is centred on agile software development, presenting practices and processes as a
understanding of how agile software development is applicable to complexity. Three agile
methods are identified.
Chapter 4 presents the ideas of modelling and limits to understanding. Models of complex
systems are useful but are limited, due to the properties of complex systems. The concept of
mental models leads to models of organisations and how leaders need to help with
transformation of these models towards models that are more aligned to agile type thinking.
Chapter 5 looks at the core concepts, and practices of agile applied to complexity and why
these are relevant in responding to complexity. Towards the end of chapter the role of
narrative is explored in the terms of problem definition and solutioning in complex systems.
Chapter 6 concludes the thesis with insights where agile software development is an
appropriate response to complexity and the conditions in which it is not. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Organisasies staar toenemende kompleksiteit in die gesig en alhoewel daar verskeie maniere
bestaan om kompleksiteit teen te werk, asook verskeie definisies van wat kompleksiteit is,
focus die tesis op aanpasbare ("agile") sagteware ontwikkeling as n bruikbare metode. Met
eienskappe soos “mense/verbruiker/gebruiker – eerste” benadering asook minimale proses
implementering, verskaf aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkeling die raamwerk waar binne die
konsep kompleksiteit verstaan kan word.
Hoofstuk 1 bespreek die kwessies rondom kompleksiteit en die relevansie daarvan in
organisasies vandag. Verder word aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkeling kortliks bespreek en
hoe dit gebruik kan word om kompleksiteit te verstaan, word getoon.
Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek die verskillende konsepte random kompleksiteit. Daar word gekyk na
linêre en nie-linêre stelsels asook die oortuiging dat nie alle dinge kompleks is nie word
geondersoek. Sleutel kenmerke van komplekse stelsels word beskryf om sodoende ‘n better
begrip te kry van wat ‘n komplekse stelsel behels. Informasie teorie en dinamiese stelsels
word bespreek, insluitend kenmerke soos “attraktors” en “bifurkasies”. Laastens, word die
teorie rondom komplekse aanpasbare stelsels bespreek en ‘n klassifikasie van alle komplekse
teorieë word uiteengesit.
Hoofstuk 3 fokus op “agile software development” en hoe sulke praktyke en prosesse
toepaslik is op kompleksiteit. Daaropvolgend word drie aanpasbare metodes ge-identifiseer
en individueel bespreek.
Hoofstuk 4 verduidelik die idees rondom modellering en grense van begrip. Modelle van
komplekse stelsels kan nuttig wees, maar weens die eienskappe van komplekse stelsels, is die
nuttigheid beperk. Die konsep van mentale modelle lei tot modelle van organisasies en hoe
leiers hierdie modelle moet transformer na modelle wat meer in-lyn is met agile denkwyses.
Hoofstuk 5 kyk na die kern konsepte en praktyke waar “agile” toegepas word tot
kompleksiteit en waarom dit relevant is om kompleksiteit teen te werk. In die tweede helfde
van die hoofstuk word die rol van narratief ondersoek in terme van probleem-identifisering
en die soek na oplossings in komplekse sisteme.
Hoofstuk 6 sluit af met insigte tot aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkelingsmetodes as toepaslike
oplossing tot kompleksiteit asook die toestande waaronder dit geld.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/86373 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Pringle-Wood, Wayne Austen |
| Contributors | Watson, Bruce W., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Information Science. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | xi, 133 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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