Supporting knowledge worker productivity in an agile software development team

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School of Science | Master's thesis
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Date

2010

Department

Informaatio- ja luonnontieteiden tiedekunta

Major/Subject

Telecommunications management

Mcode

T-124

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

78 + [14]

Series

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to increase our understanding of the factors and mechanisms that affect the productivity of an Agile Software Development team. The main perspective used is one focusing on established theory on productivity of knowledge workers in general, as well as on the viability of these theories in this specific context. The study is of a qualitative nature, following an abductive research approach. The research process is an interaction between the existing theory and gathered empiric data, facilitated by the researcher. A model describing the phenomenon, the goal of this study, is based on theory from both knowledge worker productivity and Agile Software Development, and further improved by an empirical case study. The study contains literature reviews of general knowledge worker productivity theories and characteristics of Agile Software Development. This knowledge is used to create a first model of the phenomenon. The model is then used to set up a case study at a case company to compare real life experiences to the model. The case study is conducted through semi-structured interviews with personnel at the case company, focusing on experiences and subjective perceptions of the phenomenon. The literature reviews show that work in an Agile Software Development context can be characterized as knowledge work, and that the Agile methods to a significant degree follow the general recommendations put forth in theories and results from previous research in the field of knowledge worker productivity. The resulting model is a description of the phenomenon and the underlying mechanisms. It should be useful tool for understanding how, why and under what circumstances the specific characteristics of Agile Software Development affect productivity. The model has been constructed with the mindset of making it an easily accessible tool for understanding and improving the preconditions for a productive team. The results and the constructed model indicate for example the negative effects of splitting the loyalty and team identity of employees by having them commit to several different work teams, and the need to actively structure follow-up and feedback to the same level on which responsibilities and autonomy is defined and granted.

Description

Supervisor

Smeds, Riitta

Thesis advisor

Löfgren, Peter

Keywords

agile software development, agila metoder, productivity, lättrörliga metoder, knowledge work, produktivitet, knowledge worker, kunskapsarbete, team, kunskapsarbetare, team

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-2020122356927

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[dipl] Perustieteiden korkeakoulu / SCI