Abstract:

Software development has endured radical change with the introduction of agile methods for creating software solutions. This change has prompted new considerations of how software creation should be managed. While agile methods have changed software development processes, it would be premature to assume that has also induced modification in higher-level project management processes. Software development lifecycles (SDLC) and project management lifecycles (PLC), while associated, are not the same thing and it is still unclear to what degree the overarching project management tasks, tools or techniques must change or adapt to meet the needs of undertaking successful agile projects. This exploratory pilot study investigated agile methods used to manage software projects and was conducted via an online survey and restricted to a specific sample audience with significant project experience and with background in both traditional and agile development methods. The results indicate that traditional project management phases and techniques are adapted to fit with agile.  However, as the discipline evolves the potential exists for a pure agile project management framework to surface - one that can be applied to better suit the needs of the management of agile projects as well as projects beyond the realm of software development.