Abstract
Scrum methodology is widely used in the information technology (IT) industry for the purposes of team-based iterative software development. However, limited studies have been conducted to explore the nature of interactions between a Scrum Master and other team members and the effect of these interactions on team effectiveness. The aim of this study is to understand the interactions between the Scrum Master and other team members in an educational setting and propose and demonstrate an application of cooperative game theory for the same. Cooperative game theory can model scenarios where other team members can benefit from cooperating. Through the lens of the cooperative game-theoretic model, we investigated the strategies employed by the Scrum Master and other team members when involved in a semi-capstone IT project. Specifically, the study explored the team interaction between a Scrum Master and other team members at three different levels of team effectiveness: least effective, partially effective, and most effective. Our results indicate that a Scrum Master should be active to maximize their payoff as well as the teams’ overall payoff. Contrary to this, other team members should be active in the most and partially effective teams, while being passive in the least effective teams at higher costs of interpersonal relations and the processes. The results of the study represent a novel application of game-theoretic modeling for understanding the Scrum Master and other team member interactions. These results are applicable not just in an educational setting but also to the wider area of software development by identifying the right set of strategies by the Scrum Master, and other team members in order to help IT professionals to maximize their payoff.
Highlights
Teamwork is a critical skill in the information technology (IT) and software development industry for the purposes of team-based iterative software development
Master and development team’s interaction, as well as its application in the Scrum-agile framework using the principles of cooperative game theory: RQ(1)How can we model team interactions between a Scrum Master and other team members using a game-theoretic approach?
The objective of this study is to explore an association between team effectiveness and the leadership aspect of Scrum Master with other team members in a cooperative project-based learning environment
Summary
Teamwork is a critical skill in the information technology (IT) and software development industry for the purposes of team-based iterative software development. Cooperative learning, a popular pedagogy, is often employed in learning environments to develop teamwork skills This pedagogical strategy has proven to be effective and has been used in the classroom for a very long time [7]. Cooperative learning strategies have their foundations in social interdependence theory [8] and help students to work together in small groups to achieve the learning outcome. According to this theory, the individuals interact with each other in a social setting, and the intensity of interaction determines the effectiveness of the outcome [9]. Among the benefits of cooperative learning documented in prior studies [12,13], research has identified that this approach improved diverse outcomes such as academic achievement, promoted higher productivity, and inculcated a sense of care and cooperation
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