Facilitators and inhibitors for the adoption of agile methods

Abstract

This paper examines factors which facilitate or inhibit the adoption of agile methods in an organization. The paper presents an overview of agile methodologies and the key features of the agile corporation, exploring the synergistic relationship they engender. The paper concludes that agile methodologies are gaining widespread acceptance but there is sometimes a misalignment with organisational culture and values. The importance of web systems have helped agile methods forge a place for themselves but there are still a number of factors mitigating against their large-scale success. These most significant of these are the growing importance of outsourcing / offshoring, their limits in larger projects and organizational forms which are naturally inimical to the ideals of agility.