Mixed Materials
Agile Software Development Method Cargo Cult - Devising an Analytical Tool
| Title: | Agile Software Development Method Cargo Cult - Devising an Analytical Tool |
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| Authors: | Havstorm, Tanja Elina, Karlsson, Fredrik, Gao, Shang |
| Publisher Information: | Örebro universitet, Handelshögskolan vid Örebro Universitet 2025 |
| Document Type: | Mixed materials |
| Abstract: | Context: Despite the widespread adoption of agile software development methods (ASDMs) today, many organizations struggle with effective implementation. One reason for this is that some organizations claim to use an ASDM without fully understanding its core principles, or they adhere to old practices while professing to follow a contemporary software development method. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to by practitioners as “cargo cult” (CC) behavior. However, simply labeling something as CC lacks analytical depth. Objective: This paper aims to conceptualize and validate an analytical tool for diagnosing CC and non-CC behavior in software development teams’ use of ASDMs. Method: This study uses a longitudinal ethnographic approach to conceptualize and validate the analytical tool by analyzing four agile practices used by a global industrial manufacturing company. Results: The analytical tool features eight stereotypes—three representing non-CC behaviors and five representing CC behaviors—designed to aid in the analysis of ASDM usage. The tool draws on Social Action Theory and Work Motivation Theory to capture and interpret the CC phenomenon in ASDM use. Using the stereotypes, 36 actions were categorized as CC behavior deviating from documented ASDM practices, and 23 actions as non-CC behavior because they aligned with the documented ASDM and reflected agile goals and values. The tool thus can help both researchers and practitioners gain a deeper understanding of ASDM use in organizations. Conclusion: This study advances understanding of ASDM use by moving beyond the simplistic use of the term “cargo cult”. The developed tool enables structured identification and classification of CC behaviors. The stereotypes provide a way of classifying recurring software development actions against the intended ASDM, allowing the identification of specific types of CC behaviors. The analytical tool enables managers to gain deeper insights into the underlying reasons for devi |
| Index Terms: | Agile, Cargo cult, Deviations, Software development, Social action theory, Work motivation theory, Empirical study, Information Systems, Social aspects, Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning, Article in journal, info:eu-repo/semantics/article, text |
| DOI: | 10.1016.j.infsof.2025.107851 |
| URL: | Information and Software Technology, 0950-5849, 2025, 187, s. 1-13 |
| Availability: | Open access content. Open access content info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess |
| Note: | English |
| Other Numbers: | UPE oai:DiVA.org:oru-122454 0000-0001-8604-8862 0000-0002-3265-7627 0000-0002-3722-6797 doi:10.1016/j.infsof.2025.107851 ISI:001543133000002 Scopus 2-s2.0-105011614848 1564892879 |
| Contributing Source: | UPPSALA UNIV LIBR From OAIster®, provided by the OCLC Cooperative. |
| Accession Number: | edsoai.on1564892879 |
| Database: | OAIster |
| DOI: | 10.1016.j.infsof.2025.107851 |
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