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Prior work on leadership in information systems development (ISD) teams has assumed that all developers are treated equally by their team leader and ignored the possibility that differentiated leader-member exchange (LMX) may be an important instrument for team leaders to influence self-organizing, agile ISD teams. We conducted a concurrent mixed methods inquiry to understand how LMX differentiation is associated with developer satisfaction in agile ISD teams and through which team processes agile ISD teams address LMX differentiation. We ran a multilevel, multistage survey of 1,894 software developers in 217 teams and an embedded case study of five ISD teams drawing on qualitative data from 40 interviews of developers and team leaders. Two focus groups (one with 10 developers and one with 10 team leaders) helped to substantiate the meta-inferences from the quantitative and qualitative studies. The results showed that LMX differentiation was positively associated with developer satisfaction, especially in teams with high-quality team-member exchange (TMX). We identify three team processes (i.e., collectivization of resources, visible appreciation of privileges, and freeing up leader capacities) that are enacted through agile ISD practices and allow ISD teams to leverage benefits from LMX differentiation for all their members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While agile represents a crucial element of digital transformation, there is limited empirical evidence on how agile is actually implemented. This article presents a longitudinal case study of the agile implementation journey of a large product manufacturer over two years. It shows how the firm was able to achieve a large-scale agile implementation through a mix of top-down and bottom-up approaches. This process entailed continuous adaptations of agile to the firm's circumstances and needs, including ongoing articulations and re-articulations of agile to incorporate local ideas and address emerging challenges. This article also presents a framework for guiding managers undertaking an organization-wide agile implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an in-depth analysis of a successful large-scale agile transformation, this article sheds light on the evolving role of line managers during the transformation. At the beginning of the transformation, line managers act like "missionaries" and leverage influencing mechanisms in their attempts to foster the adoption of agile values. At maturity, the role of line managers evolves into a role similar to "priests" where discipline mechanisms are enacted to maintain and sustain the newly adopted agile values. The social contracts and the organizational conditions that underpin such evolution have implications for selecting suitable line managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article emphasizes the importance of training scientists in software development skills, specifically in the field of computational biology. It highlights the need for open access and accurate implementation of software in scientific research. The article provides guidelines for teaching software engineering skills to researchers, including the emphasis on coding practices and the support for students to develop these practices. It also discusses the benefits of incorporating software engineering into scientific education and provides examples of successful software packages developed by students. The authors encourage graduate training programs to prioritize software development skills and promote sustainable software practices. [Extracted from the article]

Human decomposition studies aim to understand the various factors influencing human decay to assess the deceased and develop postmortem interval (PMI) estimation methods. These types of studies are typically conducted through physical experiments examining the deceased; however, big data systems have the potential to transform how large‐scale forensic anthropology research questions can be addressed with curated images of donors with known demographic, climatic, and postmortem historical data. This study introduces ICPUTRD (Image Cloud Platform for Use in Tagging and Research on Decomposition), a web‐based software system, which enables forensic scientists to easily access, enhance (or curate), and analyze very large photographic collections documenting the longitudinal process of human decomposition. ICPUTRD, a JavaScript‐based application, was designed and built through a combination of the Waterfall and Agile software development life‐cycle methods and provides an image search and tagging features with a predefined nomenclature of forensic‐related keywords. To evaluate the system, a user study was conducted, involving 27 participants who completed pre‐ and post‐study surveys and three research tasks. Analysis of the study results confirmed the feasibility and practicality of ICPUTRD to facilitate aspects of forensic research and casework involving large collections of digital photographs of human decomposition. It was observed that the nomenclature lacked certain law enforcement keywords, so future work will focus on expanding it to ensure ICPUTRD is suited for all its intended users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxiliary functions in software systems, often overlooked due to their perceived simplicity, play a crucial role in overall system reliability. This study focuses on the effectiveness of agile practices, specifically the pair programming and the test-first programming practices. Despite the importance of these functions, there exists a dearth of empirical evidence on the impact of agile practices on their development, raising questions about their potential to enhance correctness without affecting time-to-market. This paper aims to bridge this gap by comparing the application of agile practices with traditional approaches in the context of auxiliary function development. We conducted six experiments involving 122 participants (85 novices and 37 professionals) who used both traditional and agile methods to develop six auxiliary functions across three different domains. Our analysis of 244 implementations suggests the potential benefits of agile practices in auxiliary function development. Pair programming showed a tendency towards improved correctness, while test-first programming did not significantly extend the total development time, particularly among professionals. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously as they do not conclusively establish that agile practices outperform traditional approaches universally. As indicated by our results, the potential benefits of agile practices may vary depending on factors such as the programmer's experience level and the nature of the functions being developed. Further research is needed to fully understand the contexts in which these practices can be most effectively applied and to address the potential limitations of our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of incorporating an agile approach into creating sustainable products has been widely discussed. This approach can enhance innovation integration, improve adaptability to changing development circumstances, and increase the efficiency and quality of the product development process. While many agile methods have originated in the software development context and have been formulated based on successful software projects, they often fail due to incorrect procedures and a lack of acceptance, preventing deep integration into the process. Additionally, decision-making for market evaluation is often hindered by unclear and subjective information. Therefore, this study introduces an extended TOPSIS (Technique for Order Performance by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method for sustainable product development. This method leverages the benefits of cloud model theory to address randomness and uncertainty (intrapersonal uncertainty) and the advantages of rough set theory to flexibly handle market demand uncertainty without requiring extra information. The study proposes an integrated weighting method that considers both subjective and objective weights to determine comprehensive criteria weights. It also presents a new framework, named Sustainable Agility of Product Development (SAPD), which aims to evaluate criteria for assessing sustainable product development. To validate the effectiveness of this proposed method, a case study is conducted on small and medium enterprises in China. The obtained results show that the company needs to conduct product structure research and development to realize new product functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluate predictive modelling techniques within project management, employing diverse architectures such as the LSTM, CNN, CNN-LSTM, GRU, MLP, and RNN models. The primary focus is on assessing the precision and consistency of predictions for crucial project parameters, including completion time, required personnel, and estimated costs. Our analysis utilises a comprehensive dataset that encapsulates the complexities inherent in real-world projects, providing a robust basis for evaluating model performance. The findings, presented through detailed tables and comparative charts, underscore the collective success of the models. The LSTM model stands out for its exceptional performance in consistently predicting completion time, personnel requirements, and estimated costs. Quantitative evaluation metrics, including Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), corroborate the efficacy of the models. This study offers insights into the success observed, reflecting the potential for further refinement and continuous exploration to enhance the accuracy of predictive models in the ever-evolving landscape of project management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in software engineering, particularly in Agile software development (ASD), demand innovative approaches to effort estimation due to the volatility in Agile environments. Recent trends have made the automation of story point (SP) estimation increasingly relevant, with significant potential for enhancing accuracy. This study introduces a novel model for software effort estimation (SEE) utilizing a deep learning (DL)-based sentence-BERT (SBERT) model for feature extraction combined with advanced gradient-boosted tree (GBT) algorithms. A comprehensive evaluation shows that the proposed model outperforms standard SEE and state-of-the-art models, demonstrating a mean absolute error (MAE) of 2.15 and a median absolute error (MdAE) of 1.85, representing a 12% improvement over the baseline model and an 18% improvement over the best-performing state-of-the-art model. The standardized accuracy (SA) is 93%, which is 7% higher than the next best model, across a dataset of 31,960 issues from 26 open-source Agile projects. This study contributes to software engineering by offering a more accurate and reliable decision support system for estimating project efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customers are looking for suppliers to deliver complex systems at faster rates, targeting three year cycle. This timeframe is challenging for low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) developments, increasing requirements engineering effort, leaving engineers little time and scope for innovation. Test and Evaluation (T&E) activities are often performed in Australia near the end of the process diminishing their value , compensating for a lack of modelling and simulation in early stages. Waterfall Project Management dominates where capability is hardware focused, leading to overruns and deliver capability that falls short of customer expectations in some areas. The Agile approach has been successfully used in software-focused developments. Project managers have been slow to adopt Agile for developments in areas like Defence where the safety is hardware dominant claiming the Agile process lacks necessary governance , increasing risk in the development. This paper examines the extant developmental process in a Defence context and proposes a Minimal Viable Product (MVP)-based framework using Agile to accelerate the development and mitigate risk escalation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the concept of Industry 5.0, which focuses on sustainability, human-centric design, and collaboration. It discusses the technologies shaping Industry 5.0, such as AI, machine learning, IoT, collaborative robots, and additive manufacturing. The article specifically looks at the potential of Industry 5.0 in Africa, addressing challenges, opportunities, and the importance of equitable access to technology. It emphasizes the need for Africa to embrace these technologies to drive economic diversification, workforce empowerment, and innovation. The author, Dr. Blessing Takawira, is an experienced business and supply chain management expert and academic lecturer. [Extracted from the article]

This article, titled "Mastering Project Management: 5 Powerful Techniques for Project Managers," emphasizes the importance of effective communication, strategic planning, agile methodologies, resource optimization, and continuous improvement in project management. The author highlights the need for clear communication and stakeholder engagement to ensure alignment and transparency. Additionally, the article discusses the significance of strategic planning, risk management, and adaptive leadership in navigating challenges and driving project success. The author also emphasizes the importance of resource optimization, conflict resolution, and continuous improvement in enhancing project performance. The article concludes by emphasizing the commitment to excellence and continuous learning as essential for project managers to achieve exceptional results. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the concept of partnership in public projects and its potential for success. It provides examples of collaboration in construction projects, such as the resolution of a problem during the construction of Heathrow Airport's Terminal 5. The importance of trust, the win-win philosophy, collective risk management, and sharing profits and losses are discussed as key factors in fostering successful partnerships. The article also discusses different types of contracts and the necessary factors for implementing relational contracts. Commitment, stakeholder buy-in, active participation, and the allocation of resources are highlighted as important aspects of project management. The concept of early contractor involvement and joint problem-solving are also explored. The text mentions that governments in the US, Australia, and the UK promote or require a partnership approach to project execution. The benefits of partnership-based relational contracts are discussed, including reduced conflicts and disputes and a focus on creating products rather than legal proceedings. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Leadership research has traditionally focused on formal leadership; however, leaders may emerge in informal settings in self-managed teams, and little is known about who emergent leaders are and what their characteristics are. This study investigates emergent leaders' behaviors, roles, skills, and leadership style, drawing on a multi-method approach. Design/methodology/approach: We first identify emergent leaders using social network analysis and aggregation approaches. Second, we investigate emergent leaders' characteristics using interviews with forty agile team members in five organizations. Findings: Results indicate different roles of emergent leaders (i.e. coach, liaisons), leadership styles (i.e. supportive), skills (i.e. culturally intelligent, strategist), and influencing factors (i.e. personality, technical knowledge, social circle). Originality/value: We contribute by identifying emergent leaders through multiple identification methods (i.e. network analysis, aggregation), and then through identifying their various characteristics, we contribute to leadership literature as well as idiosyncrasy-credit theory. We also add to agile-leadership theory, showing that multiple informal leaders may emerge within agile teams. Finally, our findings have practical implications for self-managed teams, informal group settings, organizational change professionals, and organizations with horizontal structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agile methods have emerged to overcome the obstacles of structured methodologies, such as the waterfall, prototype, spiral, and so on. There are studies showing the usefulness of agile approaches in software development. However, studies on Agile maintenance are very limited in number. Regardless of the chosen methodology, software maintenance can be carried out in either a local (on‐the‐premise) or global (distributed) environment. In a local environment, the software maintenance team is co‐located on the same premises, while in a global environment, the team is geographically dispersed from the customer. The main objective of this Systematic Mapping (SM) study is to identify the practices useful for software maintenance using the Agile approaches in the Cloud environment. We have conducted a comprehensive search in well‐known digital databases and examined the articles that map to the pre‐defined inclusion criteria. The study selected and analyzed 48 articles out of 320 published between 2000 and 2022. The findings of the mapping study reveal that Agile can resolve the major issues faced in traditional software maintenance, making the role of this approach significant in global/distributed software maintenance. Cloud computing plays a vital role in software maintenance. Most of the studies highlight the application of XP‐ and Scrum‐based Agile maintenance models. The study found a need for more Agile maintenance solutions in the cloud, highlighting the importance of agile in software maintenance, both locally and globally. Irrespective of the environment, Cloud computing provides a centralized platform for collaboration and communication, while also offering scalability and flexibility to adapt to diverse infrastructure needs. This allows agile maintenance practices to be implemented across both local and global environments, leveraging the cloud's capabilities to overcome geographical and infrastructural challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is the growing practice of systems engineering (SE) in which descriptive models replace documents as the embodiment of SE knowledge. These descriptive models capture SE information in place of documents, are developed in a similar manner to software source code, and are encoded and used in machine‐to‐machine applications as data. This paper describes how the Technical Debt concept widely used in the software domain—rework deferred to the future for expediency—needs to be modified for the domain of descriptive models. Technical Debt is often associated with agile development practices of software or descriptive models, which emphasize the rapid creation and iterative evolution of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Consciously applying appropriate modeling principles and practices is essential to make informed decisions during the modeling process to prevent the accumulation of excessive model Technical Debt—particularly during this iterative evolutionary process—which can require substantial rework to correct. The paper establishes a foundation for characterizing the Technical Debt implications of key model architecture and implementation decisions that are made explicitly or implicitly by modelers when developing descriptive models. To illustrate the model Technical Debt concept, several examples of modeling principles pertaining to model purpose and implementation are described along with their implications on model Technical Debt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Security is an important consideration in today's systems, and it promises to be both relevant and challenging in the future. Our design and development processes are evolving to incorporate modern methods such as agile development and model‐based engineering with the intent to provide flexible and resilient capabilities to our customers quickly and with high quality. As we continue to enhance our practices to achieve these aspirations, security capabilities both at initial deployment and throughout the system lifespan are an important consideration. A literature review of security concerns in general and challenges across a range of domains including civil aviation, smart cities, eLearning, finance and defense reveals a set of recurring long‐term trends. These trends suggest challenges to security capabilities in the future. In this paper, we summarize and analyze these trends and propose an approach for addressing them in architecture and design activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses effective strategies for leading remote teams in today's professional landscape. It emphasizes the importance of effective communication, leveraging technology for seamless communication, promoting trust and autonomy, embracing agile practices for adaptability, prioritizing team engagement and wellness, and empowering project managers with data and analytics. The article provides insights and recommendations for project managers to overcome the challenges of remote work and drive project success. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: This article focuses on conflict management as an important aspect of team management that may reduce the benefits of a given project. Due to the constantly changing business environment and the need for organisations to be flexible in their operations, traditional methods of project management are becoming less and less suitable. As a result, agility in management is gaining recognition. Design/methodology/approach: The empirical research presented in the article was carried out using quantitative and qualitative methods. Expert interview techniques were also used, and quantitative research also involved the use of a questionnaire. The use of two research techniques was aimed at obtaining a broader view of the methods of agile conflict management used when implementing projects. Findings: The research pointed to conflict management styles and methods often used by agile project teams within small and medium-sized enterprises. However, it is not exclusively dedicated to the agile approach. In addition, the results highlight the relationship between team characteristics and problem-solving methods. the key to the success of the project is the selection of team members to meet an important condition of agile project management, i.e. self-organisation and team management. This is the starting point for making the right selection of tools and methods when solving problems. It is very important that it is a small, interdisciplinary team of professionals. In agile project teams, the most common cause of conflicts is communication errors. Teams prioritise conflicts and take action to resolve them as quickly as possible. Time and dialogue are important determinants of conflict management. Experts point out that the best way to deal with a conflict depends on the type of conflict. Research limitations/implications: An important question arising from the research is as to whether the existing conflicts can become an instrument of process and organisational innovations in small and medium-sized enterprises? Another prospect for continuing research is the possibility of involving a larger number of participants from agile teams. Originality/value: The article draws attention to the issue of agile project management within small and medium-sized enterprises, which is an issue rarely discussed. the article contains conflict resolution tips addressed to agile project teams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research shows that emotional intelligence (EI) should be used alongside cognitive intelligence during requirements change (RC) handling in Software Engineering (SE), especially in agile settings. Objective: We wanted to study the role of EI in-depth during RC handling. Method: We conducted a mixed-methods study (an interview study followed by a survey study) with 124 software practitioners. Findings: We found the causal condition, intervening condition and causes lead to key direct consequences of regulating own emotions, managing relationships, and extended consequences of sustaining productivity, setting and sustaining team goals. We found several strategies of supporting EI during RC handling. Further, we found strong correlations between six strategies and one being aware of own emotions, regulating own emotions, sustaining team productivity, and setting and sustaining team goals. Conclusion: Empathising with others and tracking commitments and decisions as a team are key strategies that have strong correlations between managing emotions, between sustaining team productivity, and between setting and sustaining team goals. To the best of our knowledge, the framework we present in this paper is the first theoretical framework on EI in SE research. We provide recommendations for software practitioners to consider during RC handling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article examines the connection between the film "The Shawshank Redemption" and cybersecurity in the real world. It focuses on the difficulties that businesses encounter in safeguarding their data from cyberattacks and draws inspiration from the movie's themes of resilience and triumph over adversity. The article stresses the significance of ongoing education, independent audits, and ethical hacking in fortifying an organization's security. It also discusses the necessity of a well-rounded security approach that encompasses both detection and correction measures, as well as the importance of challenging established norms and embracing innovation in response to evolving threats. The article concludes by addressing common vulnerabilities in businesses and the need for comprehensive security measures to mitigate the risk of breaches. Additionally, the article delves into the concept of insider threats in cybersecurity and the importance of identifying and mitigating these risks. It highlights the challenges faced by businesses in preventing data breaches and emphasizes the need for prompt detection and response mechanisms. The article also explores how organizational culture influences employee attitudes and behaviors towards security. It suggests that businesses should adopt a balanced approach to security that includes prevention, detection, and response strategies. Furthermore, the article mentions the concept of zero trust and its potential in combating insider threats. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the face of evolving cyber threats. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the emotional responses of users to conversational agents (CAs) and the underlying values that shape these responses. The authors propose a novel integrated representation called "Emotion Value Assessment" (EVA) that allows researchers and practitioners to explore emotional reactions to technology in relation to the values fostered or harmed. The article provides insights into the interaction dynamics and emotional aspects of technology, which can inform product design and development. The authors conducted a qualitative study using interviews and focus groups to collect data on value implications and emotional responses related to Alexa. The results showed that anger-type emotions were most prominent, often related to functionality and usability issues, while joy was associated with comfort and quality of life. Surprise had both positive and negative connotations, and fear was linked to concerns about privacy and autonomy. The text also provides guidance on how to construct and interpret the EVA. The EVA focuses on three perspectives: emotional response, value quality, and value-bearer. The framework aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of user experiences and the impact of technology on human values. The EVA can be used in various stages of system design and development, providing insights into potential value harms and benefits, as well as informing ethical decision-making. However, the EVA has limitations in terms of generalizability and the complexity of analyzing values and emotions. Future research could explore instrumental relationships between different values and include a wider range of subordinate emotions in the analysis. The article suggests that future research should aim for better [Extracted from the article]

The majority of organizations use an agile software development methodology. Standard analysis and design processes are abandoned due to the enormous demand of generating the product within time and budget. This may result in a lack of high-quality software while components are not constructively reused. The components are identified at a later stage in the majority of component approaches. To address such challenges, a methodology for extracting demand-based domain-specific software components from the repository was developed. The process for reusing current components is described in depth with various domain-specific components, and the suggested framework is for extracting demand-based reusable domain-specific software components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A system that will have major and dire repercussions in the event of a failure or malfunction is considered a critical system. Therefore, Software developers usually apply strict standards, testing, and regulatory compliance while developing, operating, and maintaining critical systems to ensure their reliability, security, and resilience due to the high risks involved. Software developers and large organizations try to apply the best methodologies to develop critical systems. The PMBOK framework and Agile methodologies have gained wide acceptance by software developers. These frameworks became more popular because they applied best practices and made them suitable for working in the management of critical systems development processes. The main objective of the research is to review the characteristics associated with the failure of critical systems and analyze how to reduce the failure of critical systems through the use of appropriate software development frameworks. This is done through a literature review, where published studies and research on the failure of critical systems and their critical characteristics will be reviewed. Along with emphasizing Agile Software Development Methods (ASDM) like Scrum, LeSS, and SAFe, this analysis also contrasts them with PMBOK’s best project management practices and recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems play a key role in the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into smart grids by enabling bidirectional energy flows between EVs and the grid. Optimizing V2G operations poses significant challenges due to the dynamic nature of energy demand, grid constraints, and user preferences. This paper addresses the optimization challenges in V2G systems and explores the use of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to tackle these challenges. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of existing work on optimization in V2G systems and identifies gaps where AI-driven algorithms, machine learning, metaheuristic extensions, and agile optimization concepts can be applied. Case studies and examples demonstrate the efficacy of AI-driven algorithms in optimizing V2G operations, leading to improved grid stability, cost optimization, and user satisfaction. Furthermore, agile optimization concepts are introduced to enhance flexibility and responsiveness in V2G optimization. The paper concludes with a discussion on the challenges and future directions for integrating AI-driven methods into V2G systems, highlighting the potential for these intelligent algorithms and methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As public organizations increasingly adopt agile practices, understanding their opportunities, challenges, and transformative potentials is important. This article introduces the special issue on 'The Future of Agile in Public Service Organizations: Macro, Meso and Micro Perspectives' and explores the evolving landscape of agile in public service, drawing from diverse scholarly perspectives. To that end, we discuss various definitions of agile in the context of government and outline the potential benefits and drawbacks of the concept. We then delve into the macro-level characteristics and impacts of agile on institutions and society, its meso-level implications regarding organizational structures, processes, and outcomes, and micro-level determinants and effects on managers, employees, and teams. Referring to theoretical streams building the basis for agile on these different analytical levels, we build a conceptual framework of multi-level agile government. We introduce the six research studies and a book review included in this special issue and position them within this framework to highlight their contributions to understanding agile at each of the three levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we call for an integration of project management logics within the now mature field of public strategic management, to analyze the potential contribution of projects in terms of increased strategic agility, in a context where traditional strategic planning and management tools and approaches are increasingly seen at risk of not being responsive enough to rapidly changing external conditions. To pursue this objective, we carry out a problematizing literature review on the two streams, by incorporating journal and book contributions from the last 30 years on Web of Science Database. 509 contributions have been quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to answer two interconnected research questions: What is the state of the art in the literature on the interactions between project management and public strategic management? And, how can project management logics be integrated within traditional strategic planning and management processes in the public sector in order to achieve strategic agility? We find that, until today, public management literature has only sporadically dealt with the potential influence of project management logics on strategic management and, more in detail, strategy implementation. Furthermore, the review enables a discussion of five organizational drivers fostering an agile approach in public strategy implementation. Using a narrative approach, they then lead to the formulation of five researchable propositions. We conclude by proposing an updated model of the strategic planning and management cycle in the public sector, factoring in potential agile practices and feedback mechanisms induced by incorporating project logics in the implementation of strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting the most suitable agile software development method is a challenging task due to the variety of available methods, each with its strengths and weaknesses. To achieve project goals effectively, factors such as project needs, team size, complexity, and customer involvement should be carefully evaluated. Choosing the appropriate agile method is crucial for achieving high client satisfaction and effective team management, but it can be a challenging task for project managers and higher-level management officials. This paper presents a solution aiming to help them in selecting the most suitable software development method for their project. In this regard, this solution includes a pre-project management approach model and a decision tree that considers the unique requirements of the project. In the proposed solution results, Scrum was found to be suitable for both small and large projects, on the condition that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and that the approach is people-centric. Furthermore, high-risk mitigation measures should be added for small projects. To facilitate the use of our model, a software application has been developed which implements the decision-making tree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the collaboration between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Agile methodologies in project management. It highlights how Agile methodologies, with their iterative development and customer collaboration, provide a flexible and responsive approach to project management. AI, on the other hand, offers capabilities such as data analysis, automation of repetitive tasks, and predictive analytics, which enhance decision-making and optimize resource allocation. The article emphasizes the synergy between AI and Agile, empowering project managers in areas such as data-driven decision-making, adaptive planning, resource optimization, and enhanced collaboration. It also provides best practices for leveraging AI and Agile collaboration, such as starting small and promoting continuous learning. Overall, the article suggests that the collaboration between AI and Agile holds immense promise for empowering project managers in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. [Extracted from the article]

The article is a book review of "Elevate Your Leadership Skills: Ten Practices to Lead with Purpose and Passion" by Elliott Gomez, PhD. The book aims to teach readers how to develop their leadership skills and brand their leadership style. It provides ten practices for improving leadership, such as leading from the floor, being accountable and accessible, and leading with fairness. The book is structured well and includes personal stories and examples to illustrate each practice. It is recommended for existing or emerging leaders in any field. [Extracted from the article]

The article introduces Project Controls 3.0 (PC-3.0), a new approach to project management that aims to address the shortcomings of traditional project controls systems. PC-3.0 focuses on providing timely and accurate information to empower management teams to make proactive decisions and achieve project objectives. The system is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing for different work methods and planning approaches for each work unit. Key aspects of PC-3.0 include Work Performance Management (WPM), proactive and adaptive planning, standardized reporting, and maintaining the strategic baseline. The article also emphasizes the need for cost control, Earned Value Management (EVM), project reports, and contractual considerations. Successful implementation of PC-3.0 requires a cultural shift in project management practices. [Extracted from the article]

This paper explains the Visual Milestone Planning (VMP) method using an agile vocabulary to facilitate its adoption by agile practitioners as a front end for a hybrid development process. VMP is a visual and collaborative planning approach which promotes a shared understanding of the work approach and commitment through the direct manipulation by team members of the reified planning constructs involved in the development of the plan. Once the product backlog has been established and relevant milestones identified, a novel construct called the milestone planning matrix is used to document the allocation of product backlog items to milestones. The milestones due dates are later determined by grouping sticky notes representing the work to be performed into timeboxes called work packages and accommodating them on a resource and time scaled scheduling canvas very much as it would be done in a Tetris game. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the differences between projects and programs in project management and the need for different management approaches. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the value generation and interactions within a program to guide scheduling and resource allocation. The article suggests the use of a program-level value breakdown structure (PgVBS) and an AI-based program management system to improve program scheduling and maximize return on investment. It also discusses the complexities of planning and scheduling programs compared to projects and highlights the significance of program scheduling in optimizing revenue generation. The author, Stephen Devaux, is an experienced project management theorist, consultant, author, and educator who has introduced innovative methods and metrics to the field. [Extracted from the article]

Project management has emerged as an important component of strategy implementation. In the private sector, traditional "waterfall" project management approaches have been supplemented by "agile" methods that are more iterative and recursive. However, less attention has been paid to the efficacy of agile project management approaches in the public sector. This study examines the contextual effectiveness of waterfall, agile, and hybrid project management approaches in public organizations. Regression analysis of 207 strategic initiatives from 43 US municipalities confirms that the effectiveness of project management approach is contingent upon implementation complexity. Further, a descriptive analysis indicates there is no discernable pattern to project management approach by these municipalities, therefore risking the viability of their adopted strategies by selecting ineffective project management methods. These findings emphasize that public organizations should thoughtfully employ project management as they implement strategic plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agile methods have been widely adopted by the industry and its teaching has seen a surge, particularly in the software development field. However, these methods have a number of limitations which affect product outcomes, such as the fact that many software development companies now use Scrum to get developers to work without interruption between iterations, rather than to maintain a sustainable rhythm. Agile experts have stated the importance of incorporating creativity into Scrum, and although there are several agile resources that help with the learning process, it seems essential to approach such learning from a practical point of view. Furthermore, none of these resources introduce creativity. In this paper, we present an educational resource in the form of a serious game that allows you to acquire all the key concepts of agile and creative methods. The game is based on the use of LEGO pieces to simulate a real project, applying the key concepts of the Scrum and Design Thinking frameworks in a gamified way. It was assessed in a professional training centre of computer science by using surveys through which participants evaluated their previous knowledge of agile and creativity methods. We analysed the improvement of these competences, as well as the general level of satisfaction with the game. After the game, the results showed that the participants' knowledge of the Scrum and Design Thinking frameworks had improved and that they were very satisfied with the whole experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms increasingly apply agile approaches in their development processes, and therefore researchers started investigating how agility affects innovation performance. However, previous research on agility often only considers software development or approaches the concept only from an outcome perspective (i.e. increased adaptability to changes) instead of from a capability perspective (i.e. how to organise for adaptability to be successful). Consequently, research failed to investigate how the organisation of agile research and development (R&D) units in physical new product development (NPD) affects innovation performance. We apply structural equation modelling on 162 R&D units in a large industrial firm and analyse the interplay of agile R&D units’ organisation, the resulting agility, front-end success and NPD success. Moreover, we consider contingency factors of environmental turbulence. The study extends research on agility’s neglected capability perspective in innovation management, thus providing a better understanding of agility’s relationship with innovation performance and showing managers how to increase their unit’s NPD success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: In agile transformations, there are many challenges such as alignment between agile practices and the organizational goals and strategies or issues with shifts in how work is organized and executed. One very important challenge but less considered and treated in research are cultural challenges associated with an agile mindset. Although research shows that cultural clashes and general organizational resistance to change are part of the most significant agile adoption barriers. Objective: We identify challenges that arise from the interplay between agile culture and organizational culture. In doing so, we tackle this field and come up with important contributions for further research regarding a problem that practitioners face today. Method: This is done with a mixed-method research approach. First, we gathered qualitative data among our network of agile practitioners and derived in sum 15 challenges with agile culture. Then, we conducted quantitative data by means of a questionnaire study with 92 participants. Results:We identified 7 key challenges out of the 15 challenges with agile culture. These key challenges refer to the technical agility (doing agile) and the cultural agility (being agile). The results are presented in type of a conceptual model named the Agile Cultural Challenges (ACuCa). Conclusion: Based on our results, we started deriving future work aspects to do more detailed research on the topic of cultural challenges while transitioning or using agile methods in software development and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of medical technology devices leads to the introduction and use of agile methods, which enable the delivery of increasingly complex software with the fastest possible innovations. Delivery of the highest quality software must be considered during development, as medical products are important elements in saving human lives. Their development begins with determining a set of product requirements that exactly correspond to it. The development of specified medical products is finally delivered to the customer, who participates in the development. In this article, we present the use and combination of agile methods in software development, which correct and facilitate timely and continuous delivery of products. They also know how to smooth out a quick reaction to the customer's changing needs and mainly focus on team management and communication. Specific agile methods make it possible to implement development through gradual improvements by integrating customer requirements towards the product. This article identifies three interconnected approaches to integrating agile methods and principles: SCRUM, SAFe, and Kanban combined with the V-model. The methods are gradually analysed based on the literature review, and the article presents a practical application in Siemens Healthcare Slovakia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the significant challenges in scaling agile software development is organizing software development teams to ensure effective communication among members while equipping them with the capabilities to deliver business value independently. A formal approach to address this challenge involves modeling it as an optimization problem: given a professional staff, how can they be organized to optimize the number of communication channels, considering both intra-team and inter-team channels? In this article, we propose applying a set of bio-inspired algorithms to solve this problem. We introduce an enhancement that incorporates ensemble learning into the resolution process to achieve nearly optimal results. Ensemble learning integrates multiple machine-learning strategies with diverse characteristics to boost optimizer performance. Furthermore, the studied metaheuristics offer an excellent opportunity to explore their linear convergence, contingent on the exploration and exploitation phases. The results produce more precise definitions for team sizes, aligning with industry standards. Our approach demonstrates superior performance compared to the traditional versions of these algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]