Application of a software agility assessment model – AgilityMod in the field.

Highlights • Misinterpretation of the agile values/principles and adoption of partial solutions limit obtaining benefits of agile methods. • Agility assessment is an important step to guide agile adoption in software projects when performed with specific models. • Balancing predictive and adaptive work, and making continuous improvement a part of daily work are key principles for agility. Abstract Adoption of agile values and principles and transformation of organizations towards agility are not easy and straightforward. Misinterpretation of agile principles and values, and adoption of partial solutions with few agile practices instead of holistic approaches prevent organizations to obtain full benefits of agile methods. We developed the Software Agility Assessment Reference Model (AgilityMod) for the appraisal of software projects from agility perspective and to provide guidance on specifying gaps on the road towards agility (agile maturity). The meta-model of AgilityMod was defined in relation with the ISO/IEC 15504-Process Assessment Model. AgilityMod was developed in an iterative and incremental manner by running successive case studies and getting opinions of experts for the evaluation and improvement of the Model. The multiple case study that we present here in detail included the implementation of the Model in eight software development companies. The results of this case study were evaluated by the case study participants. According to the significant majority of the case study participants, AgilityMod achieves its purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]