Completion Date

Spring 6-3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Program or Discipline Name

Project Management

First Advisor

Anjali Barnick, PhDAgile Project Management, Remote Software Development Teams, IT Industry, COVID-19 Pandemic, Remote Work Theories, Leadership Models, Custom Agile Practices, Project Management Methodologies, Remote Work Impact, Agile Principles in Remote Environments

Abstract

In this research paper, the subject at hand is Agile Project Management and how it is being implemented in virtual teams that develop software. Central to the discussion are the difficulties one faces and the benefits one gains when Agile Project Management is implemented in a virtual team. The study is driven by the growing prevalence of remote work in the IT industry and the need for robust project management frameworks that can adapt to virtual environments. By conducting an extensive review of the literature and several case studies, this study determines key barriers, such as communication, difference in time zone, and self-management versus supervision balance. The result of the study reveals benefits of Agile methodologies preponderantly in exigency, flexibility, nimbleness, visibility, and trust of stakeholders. Furthermore, the research contributes with lessons learned in the effort of tailoring Agile practices to remote settings, pointing out the importance of having structured communication plans, regular virtual meetings and available digitals tools, specifically those that have been used for Project Management. Finally, the research also stated that besides remote working becoming an increasingly essential component of the organizational structure, it also affects the recruitment and acquisition of talented professionals, hence an outtake of the research is to understand how Agile Project Management dynamics should be implemented and further studied. This study adds to the current literature by expanding our understanding of how Agile methodologies might be implemented productively in virtual software growth settings, thus improving team performance as well as project results.

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