Agile process tailoring and problem analysis (APTLY)

Developing software using a well-defined, well-understood process improves the likelihood of delivering a product with the required quality. Enhancing that process to meet recognised process standards, such as CMMI and ISO 9000, can further facilitate the development of complex systems in a repeatable and predictable way. There are tradeoffs involved, however. In particular, because projects differ in their scale, scope, and technical challenge, the same process will not suit all circumstances. Agile approaches to development, such as Extreme Programming (XP), SCRUM and Crystal Methodologies, recognise this dilemma and suggest that processes be tailored to each situation. The research problem for postgraduate investigation is to determine in detail how this can be achieved successfully. This will include a consideration of how best to define, maintain and give access to a knowledge base recording details of process concepts, techniques and experience.