Control Mechanisms and Agile Methodology Use: Data from the Industry. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Wenying; Schmidt, Cecil
• Is Part Of: Journal of computer information systems. Volume 58:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 243
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: Agile methodology use -- behavioral control -- clan control -- outcome control -- self-control; Electronic data processing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 658.4038011
• DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2016.1232999
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-4417

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This research investigates the relationship between the degree of agile methodology use and four types of control mechanisms that are widely used in the management of a software project and its personnel: outcome control, behavioral control, clan control, and self-control. We conducted two studies: a survey of software professionals and a follow-up interview in six organizations. We found the following: 1) software professionals reported high outcome and clan controls regardless of their levels of agile methodology use; 2) the high agile group reported some use of behavioral and self-controls while the low agile group did not; 3) even though behavioral control was minimum in the low agile group, all professionals we interviewed strongly agreed that using established materials and following existing procedures should be standardized practices in software development. Implications of this research are discussed.