Combining Agile Methods with Stage-Gate Project Management

  • Authors:

  • Daniel Karlstrom;Per Runeson

  • Affiliations:

  • Lund University;Lund University

  • Venue:
  • IEEE Software
  • Year:
  • 2005

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Abstract

Agile methods have received positive attention in the software engineering community. Their focus on simplicity, programmers, and products empowers the technical staff and gives a sense of focus on product development basics. Researchers have investigated agile projects in isolation, but not in the traditional stage-gate project management environments where they are often applied. On the basis of interviews and archival analyses, case studies for three different organizations using agile methods showed their feasibility, despite some initial management resistance. The agile methods provided continuous feedback. They give the stage-gate model powerful tools for microplanning, day-to-day work control, and progress reporting. The stage-gate model, in turn, gives agile methods a means to coordinate with other development teams and communicate with functions such as marketing and senior management.