Conceptual Framework for Auditing Agile Projects

Elizabeth Mkoba,Carl Marnewick

doi:10.1109/access.2020.3007874

Elizabeth Mkoba, Carl Marnewick

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2020.3007874

Copy DOI

Abstract

Most organizations use IT projects as vehicles to implement the IT strategy which contributes to achieving organizational strategic objectives and goals. Agile project management has been a potential solution to deliver successful IT projects instead of the traditional waterfall approach. This potential has resulted in organizations adopting agile project management to deliver IT projects on time and realise benefits. However, auditors especially those whose experience lies with more traditional and system development life cycle controls are struggling with how to audit agile projects. The problem addressed in this article is lack of an audit framework for auditing agile projects to ensure IT project success. The purpose of this article is to present the proposed conceptual framework for auditing agile projects that are implemented using Scrum methodology. The framework introduces audit processes in each process of the Scrum methodology. The quantitative research method used online survey questionnaire to validate the conceptual framework amongst IT professionals in South Africa. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. The research revealed that there was a significant correlation between the identified audit processes and agile project success. This research emphasizes on the need to take into account auditing agile project from its initiation to closure. This article contributes to the body of knowledge with regard to project auditing. Auditors can use the proposed framework to audit agile projects which are implemented using Scrum methodology to ensure successful completion of IT projects.

Highlights

Information technology (IT) projects are vehicles that organizations use to implement the IT strategy, which contributes to achieving organizational strategic objectives and goals
This finding was argued by [9], [25]. These results suggest that existence of minutes of the meeting that determined the length of the iterations and sprint meetings, as well as existence of minutes of the meeting that reviewed and approved the release plan play a positive role in influencing agile project success
The theoretical contribution of this study is firstly that it provides a conceptual framework for auditing agile projects

Summary

Introduction

Information technology (IT) projects are vehicles that organizations use to implement the IT strategy, which contributes to achieving organizational strategic objectives and goals. From 2014 to 2020, US$24 751 billion was spent on IT projects worldwide; of this US$17 820 billion was wasted on failed IT projects [30]. In the period 2015 to 2020, South Africa spent R417.2 billion on IT projects, R221.1 billion of which was wasted on failed IT projects [30]. These statistics indicate that IT projects are still failing and not delivering the strategic organizational goals and objectives. 71% of organizations worldwide are adopting agile project management to improve the success rates of IT projects [40].

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion