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Modelling the critical success factors of agile software development projects in South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisor Mnkandla, Ernest
dc.contributor.author Chiyangwa, Tawanda Blessing
dc.date.accessioned 2018-09-26T12:41:19Z
dc.date.available 2018-09-26T12:41:19Z
dc.date.issued 2017-01
dc.date.submitted 2018-01
dc.identifier.citation Chiyangwa, Tawanda Blessing (2017) Modelling the critical success factors of agile software development projects in South Africa, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24857>
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/10500/24857
dc.description.abstract There are several critical success factors suggested for why agile software development projects succeed, including organisational and process factors. Although there are an increasing number of identified critical success factors, IT professionals lack the modelling techniques and the theoretical framework to help them meaningfully understand their influences. To solve this problem, this study developed a model by employing the following theories: Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to create a fit model for agile software development projects. The research sought to answer the question: What are the critical success factors that influence the success of agile software development projects? The literature review considers the continued failure of agile and traditional software development projects which have led to the consideration of, and dispute over, critical success factors — the aspects most vital to a methodology’s success. Though TRA, TPB and UTAUT have previously been applied to agile methodologies, empirical models have not been completely integrated to develop a fit model. This research sought to fill this gap. Data was collected in South Africa through a web-based survey using structured questionnaires and an interview guide. Face-to-face interviews were done to identify the critical success factors in agile projects. The data was captured and analysed for descriptive statistics, convergent and discriminant validity, composite and internal reliability, and correlation in order to inform the structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM was used to test the research model and hypotheses to answer the research questions. The results informed development of a comprehensive model that could provide guidelines to the agile community. The study contributes towards understanding the critical success factors for agile projects. It examined direct, indirect and moderating effects, and the findings contribute towards developing a framework to be used by agile professionals. These key result shows that organisational factors have a great influence on performance expectancy characteristics. To ensure success of agile projects, managers are advised to focus on the effect of the organisation’s environment, culture and policies on performance and effort expectancy. en
dc.format.extent 1 online resource (xviii, 269 leaves)
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Software quality en
dc.subject Agile software development project en
dc.subject Software projects en
dc.subject Theory of Reasoned Action en
dc.subject Theory of Planned Behaviour en
dc.subject Failure factors en
dc.subject Critical success factors en
dc.subject Agile methodology en
dc.subject Traditional methodology en
dc.subject Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology en
dc.subject.ddc 005.3
dc.subject.lcsh Agile software development -- South Africa en
dc.subject.lcsh Unified field theories en
dc.title Modelling the critical success factors of agile software development projects in South Africa en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.department School of Computing en
dc.description.degree Ph. D. (Computer Science)


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