Heterogeneous tailoring approach using the Spotify model

Salameh, A; Bass, J

Abstract

Organisations tailor agile methods to fit their specific needs. There
are two recognised approaches to agile method tailoring: Contingency Factors and Method Engineering. Spotify has developed its
own agile culture, which has become influential among agile proponents. The Spotify model has formed the basis of agile methods
used in numerous other organisations. We have identified a lack of
research into the tailoring approach used in the Spotify model.
In order to explore How practitioners do achieve agile tailoring
using the Spotify model, a longitudinal embedded case study over
21 months was conducted. A very large-scale FinTech organisation
using the Spotify model was selected for the study. We conducted
14 semi-structured interviews and direct observations of agile practices. A grounded theory method was adopted to analyse the data.
We discovered a novel approach to agile method tailoring, which
we call “Heterogeneous Tailoring". This approach is characterised by
two key features. Firstly, each autonomous cross-functional squad
is empowered to select and tailor its own development method. This
key feature is the main focus of this paper. Secondly, each squad is
aligned to common product development goals. The practitioners
in our study report benefits of this approach such as improved
creativity and productivity, whilst risks of divergence from shared
development objectives are mitigated through alignment practices.
We contribute in this study by introducing a new third approach
to agile tailoring (i.e., “Heterogeneous Tailoring"). This, in turn,
complements the tailoring approaches by including Contingency
Factors, Method Engineering, and Heterogeneous Tailoring.

Citation

Salameh, A., & Bass, J. Heterogeneous tailoring approach using the Spotify model. Presented at Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE 2020), Trondheim, Norway

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering (EASE 2020)
• Conference Location: Trondheim, Norway
• Acceptance Date: Feb 4, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Apr 17, 2020
• Publication Date: Apr 17, 2020
• Deposit Date: Mar 11, 2020
• Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
• Book Title: EASE '20: Proceedings of the Evaluation and Assessment in Software Engineering
• ISBN: 9781450377317
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3383219.3383251
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1145/3383219.3383251
• Related Public URLs: https://www.ntnu.edu/ease2020/
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference