A post-colonial analysis of agile software development
methods in ICT4D

Rahy, S; Kreps, DGP; Bass, J; Gaber, T; Ardo, AA

Abstract

There is evidence that agile approaches to information system development can improve product quality and developer productivity. However, successful
adoption of these approaches appears to depend on adaptation to specific contexts.
This research contributes to a broader goal to understand what it means to “be
agile” in the presence of adaptations to the specific context.
To pursue our research objectives, we have performed 31 semi-structured recorded
and transcribed practitioner interviews from three companies in Lebanon. The interview transcripts were analysed using an approach informed by grounded theory.
Agile methods enable learning and improvement through team conversations.
Yet, the practitioners in our study shun public self-evaluation, finding it difficult
to discuss areas for improvement in public. We also found legacy “top down”
management practices that undermine team autonomy and local client companies
lack experience of engaging with agile processes. In a more positive vein, we found
evidence of rich use of various communications channels to overcome geographical
distance.
On the one hand, agile methods represent a “northern” idea being propagated
to the Global South. And yet, on the other hand, the agile concept of self-organising
teams has the potential to be empowering and emancipatory. Post-colonial theory
helps us understand the phenomenon of agile tailoring, where development process
ceremonies are adapted to suite a specific local context.

Citation

methods in ICT4D. Presented at 16th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, Online

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 16th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries
• Conference Location: Online
• End Date: Jun 11, 2020
• Acceptance Date: May 13, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Dec 23, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 11, 2020
• Deposit Date: Jul 16, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 6, 2021
• Series Title: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
• Series Number: 587
• Book Title: 16th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2020, Manchester, UK, June 10–11, 2020, Proceedings
• ISBN: 9783030658274-(print);-9783030658281-(online)
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65828-1_6
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65828-1_6
• Related Public URLs: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65828-1; http://www.ifipjwc2020.org/
• Additional Information: Access Information : This is an accepted version of a conference paper. The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65828-1_6; Event Type : Conference