Agile Developers Research Articles

Understanding the Agile Approach: A Grounded Theory of How Empower Team Members and Stakeholders Case Study: Petroleum Corporate in Tunisia

Purpose: The Important principles of the Agile Manifesto can be identified directly or indirectly from the characteristics of a team Agile development. It works by iterative and incremental cycles of creating value for the user, it is self-organized, in constant collaboration with his client, and tries to continuously improve by wearing a critical look at his activity and his way of function. Faced with this wide variety of choices, an inevitable question arises for companies wishing to deploy Agile: How does empowerment occur through an interactional change in Agile team developments? To address this research question, this article follows a grounded theory approach and draws on 20 semi-structured in-depth interviews with team members and project managers working with the Agile approach. From analyzing the teams and their interactions, the creation of empowerment through continuous interactions with their stakeholders in the organizational context of petroleum industries. Design/Method/Approach: In order to understand the principles of the Agile method and the empowerment of the team in the context of Agile, we conducted an exploratory case study in a petroleum company. This study is based on twenty semi-structured interviews with fifteen project managers and team members using the Agile method. Each interview took approximately 45 - 120 min. These face-to-face interviews aided to record the verbal information and capture the interviewee’s expressions and tone. All these interviews were transcribed for analysis. The NVivo software analysis was used to gather the data for the research. This data helped in developing more knowledge about tasks allocated to Agile teams. We applied open coding, the Strauss, and Corbin GT’s procedure of data analysis to participants’ transcribed interview responses. In addition to Interviews, we accompanied the teams of developers for seven months. This engagement allowed us to write observation notes and have discussions informal with developers and project managers at the corporate. Findings: We categorized the data with short phrases that summarize the most important points during a codification. These were condensed into two to three words, captured in the NVivo. As a result, different concepts from similar codes appeared one the most prominent of which was task allocation through self-assignment. Others included manager-driven, manager-assisted, team-driven, and team-assisted task allocation. This article shows us the Agile methods at Work series. Whether for a project manager, a software developer, or a senior manager, this series is designed to help them to get greater agility from their team members. Our research was carried out within a petroleum corporate industry Shell Upstream LTD in Tunisia. The company specializes in Oil and Gas Extraction, Mining, Quarrying, Crude petroleum, and natural gas. The company, therefore, offers its customers advice, expertise, monitoring, and support. This research has contributed to Agile practitioners. Our explanations of the positive consequence of self-assignment should promote novice Agile teams and their managers to attempt self-assignment as a key practice. Also, Agile teams trying to be self-organized to get solutions to their challenges in this study. Our results can be applied as a guide for the project managers to facilitate self-organization by empowering team members. The grounded theory is presented in a form that can be understood through well-defined: context, causal conditions, and a strategy applied by Agile teams to practice self-organization work. Originality/Value: The present study’s new conceptualization of empowerment as the interaction between the team and the stakeholders: Empowerment tends to be analyzed either from the view of the team participating in empowering manager behaviors to foster, among other aspects, the project manager of teams or from the perspective of the team’s collective sense of being empowered. Research considering both perspectives tends to view empowering managers’ behaviors as ancestors of team empowerment. Empowerment tends to be studied either from the perspective of the leader engaging in empowering leadership behaviors to foster, among other aspects, the self-leadership of teams or from the perspective of the team’s collective sense of being empowered. Research considering both perspectives tends to view empowering leadership behaviors as antecedents of team empowerment. From a managerial perspective, some managerial perspectives for the corporate are provided in this research. Based on the underlying results, there are three main processes that managers and organizations can address to realize the most practical benefits.

Efekti programa vežbanja na razvoj agilnosti kod tenisera juniorske kategorije - sistematsko pregledno istraživanje

The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of different exercises on the development of tennis players' agility. The electronic database PubMed was used to search and collect relevant studies in the field of agility in tennis. This study was conducted based on the PRISMA statement. A total of 361 participants were included in this study. Twelve studies met the criteria in order to be included in this study. The results showed that the effect was statistically significant after each exercise program (high-intensity interval training, court tennis training, neuromuscular warm-up, sport-specific training, plyometric training, neuromuscular and performance training). The exercise programs lasted from 5 - 12 weeks with a weekly frequency of three times for 45 to 90 minutes. The results, obtained in this way, indicate a sensitive period for the development of agility in this age group, i.e. junior tennis players. The analyzed areas of agility assessment, frontal and lateral agility observed on the basis of agility assessment tests, were singled out.

Too Drained from Being Agile? The Self-Regulatory Effects of the Use of Agile ISD Practices and their Consequences on Turnover Intention

While much is known about the beneficial effects of agile information systems development (ISD), scholars have largely neglected to address its potential downsides. Specifically, research on this topic has thus far overlooked the ambivalent implications of the specific demands placed on developers working in agile ISD teams, including potentially depleting effects. Drawing on ego depletion theory and the associated literature, we provide a more balanced view and introduce self-regulatory resource depletion triggered by using agile ISD practices—encompassing software development (SD) and project management (PM) practices—as a theoretical perspective on why agile developers experience different levels of work-related fatigue that lead to stronger or weaker turnover intentions. Furthermore, we propose that due to the specific way in which agile ISD methods organize ISD project work, developers’ perceived workload influences the intensity by which agile ISD practices affect self-regulatory resources and developers’ feelings of fatigue. We examined our research model using a multimethod approach including quantitative and qualitative data. We found that the use of agile SD practices enhances developers’ self-regulatory resources and reduces fatigue and turnover intention. Our results also show that perceived workload strengthens the energizing effects of the use of agile SD practices and reveals a depleting effect of the use of agile PM practices, with countervailing implications for turnover intention. This study contributes to agile ISD literature by drawing a more nuanced and balanced picture with both resource-enhancing and resource-draining effects of the use of agile ISD practices. Finally, we give managerial advice regarding factors to consider when designing and managing agile ISD projects.

Improving Agility Performance Among Athletes by Jami Agility Table (JAT)

Context: A model of agility ladder tool was designed in the current study to increase cognitive-motor performance in athletes with more advantages over conventional agility ladders. Objectives: The aim of this study was to develop agility tool for athletes using Jami agility table (JAT) which has been the latest training model by creating mental challenge and recruiting muscle movement units for agile performance of sports skills. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, a systematic review of agility development methods were presented to improve psychomotor performance in athletes and then the JAT agility table model was introduced. Based on the JAT, a special code is designed in order to develop agility both physically and mentally aspects, and athlete is always engaged with new algorithms of movement. Results: One of the exclusive functions of JAT, is to increase contextual interference in the performance of motor skills which increases reaction time (RT) in athletes significantly. Laterality detection and empowering non-dominant hemisphere is one of the applications of the JAT, which ultimately increases the comprehensive development of the central nervous system (CNS). Conclusions: The most important aspect of JAT is based on increasing contextual interference and random learning in learners and athletes. Additionally, neuromuscular coordination is one of JAT functions which would improve agility performance in athletes. JAT mechanism has been designed based on Movement algorithm models. In such a training model, which imposes a better cognitive function on the learner and athlete to create better motor memory, the process of constant algorithms is converted into variable and instantaneous algorithms, resulting in more reliable motor outputs.

The influence of special physical fitness of athletes on the level of technique of playing beach volleyball

Background and Study Aim. Aim is to determine the influence of the components of special physical training on the effectiveness of certain elements of the game technique during the competitive activities of beach volleyball athletes.
 Material and methods. The study involved athletes (n = 20, age - 17-21 years, experience - 8-9 years), who are engaged in beach volleyball (Kherson, Ukraine). Experts (n = 5, work experience - over 20 years) from among the leading volleyball specialists were involved. Training sessions were conducted according to the author’s structure and content of special physical training (preparatory period of the annual cycle). The author's program was to increase the volume of athletic work by 10% (selective classes and integrated work) and 17% (complex classes). The classes used a developed special training device. The device is designed to practice practical game skills. The load at the first stage was 70-80% of the maximum. The load in the second stage was 80-90% of the maximum.
 Results. Significant (p <0.05) development of explosive power, speed and agility was revealed. There is a significant (p <0,05) increase: in the number of jump serve and spike; improving the quality/number of serve and attack; improving the quality of passing and the number of blocks.
 Conclusions. The proposed structure and content of special physical training and exercises on a special simulator have significantly increased the level of development of physical qualities. The athlete training program helped to improve the effectiveness of certain technical actions during competitive activities.

Sprint Zeal or Sprint Fatigue? The Benefits and Burdens of Agile ISD Practices Use for Developer Well-Being

Are agile information systems development practices (AISDPs), such as pair programming or daily stand-ups, universally beneficial to developer well-being? Given that agile information systems development project success is only as good as its developers’ productiveness, taking care of developer well-being is of utmost importance to organizations. Using daily survey responses of 131 agile developers spread over two workweeks, we show that the daily use of AISDP is a double-edged sword rather than a silver bullet. Although AISDPs can be motivating and activate energy resources on some days, they can be disturbing and deplete energy on others—two stress responses with opposing effects on developer well-being. As a potential antidote to the detrimental effects of AISDP, we investigate the moderating role of information technology (IT) mindfulness, a dynamic trait that captures the mindful usage of IT. We find that IT mindfulness can serve as a facilitator of positive stress responses and as a buffer against negative stress responses. A key takeaway of this study is in finding ways to influence developers (via awareness programs, time-sensitive recovery interventions, or mindfulness practices) to increase the functional and decrease the dysfunctional stress responses from daily AISDP use.

The importance of using circuit training in the development of speed endurance, agility and body control in male U17 handball players

Abstract. The growing importance of physical preparation in the training plans of handball coaches must be the basis for consolidation and improvement during the specific training of junior handball players. The higher the motor indicators, the higher the difference between the technical and tactical skills of junior handball players in terms of achieving maximum efficiency. The research took place over an eight-month period. The research participants were 32 U17 junior handball players aged 15 and 16 years. They were divided into two groups as follows: the experimental group, consisting of 15 handball players from the Bucharest Municipal Sports Club, and the control group, consisting of 17 handball players from the Bucharest School Sports Club No. 2. The methods used for the experimental group included set training circuits performed in the corresponding part of basic training. Each training circuit was introduced systematically and quantifiably for 15 minutes, three times a week on successive days and according to the training period covered by the U17 male handball team. The training of the control group was based on traditional methods provided in the annual training plan. Throughout this period, the specific physical training parameters of the experimental group were influenced by the chosen training methods: for speed endurance in different directions and at different angles with forward, backward and lateral movements; for the ability to rotate in different directions and at different angles with an emphasis on execution speed, acceleration speed, speed endurance, agility and body control.

The Importance of Leadership Development Across Borders.

Purpose: Globalization is the reality of our day and age. Globalization connotes the increasing economic, social, technical, cultural, and political interdependence between nations. People are more inter-connected now than ever. The availability of worldwide communication systems through rapid improvements in communication technology and the internet has led to more international trade and cultural exchange.
 Methodology: A qualitative study and research was carried out to consider the dynamics and diverse ways globalization has affected our lives and with its own attendant challenges, including the need to design effective multinational organizations, and to identify and select appropriate leaders to manage those organizations with their culturally diverse employees (Northouse,2013).
 Findings: The research discovered that it is now incumbent on organizational leaders to understand how cultural differences affect their leadership performance and their leadership development systems. Adler and Bartholomew (1992) assert that organizational leaders need to understand various business, political, and cultural environments globally, learn the perspectives, tastes, trends, and technologies of many other cultures, learn how to work with people from many cultures simultaneously, adapt to living and communicating in other cultures, and learn to relate with people from diverse cultural origins from a position of equality rather than cultural superiority.
 Unique Contribution to theory, practice and policy (Recommendation): Every Successful leaders across borders in the globalized world are expected to embrace diversity by rising above cultural issues such as perceptual bias, discrimination, stereotyping, ethnocentrism, and prejudice. This white paper explores the basic concepts of global leadership, the development of cultural agility, and the process of leadership development across borders.

Оценка уровня физической подготовленности будущих специалистов агропромышленного комплекса

The article deals with the problems of the development of physical qualities, physical fitness of future specialists of the agro-industrial complex. The significance of physical activity on the level of physical fitness is revealed. The assessment of the level of health of students, the level of physical fitness is made. The features of the activity of specialists of the agro-industrial complex are considered. It is stated that successful professional activity of specialists requires from graduates theoretical knowledge, functional stability, physical fitness, professionally important mental qualities. The results of the control standards for the requirements of the university are analyzed. The article gives an assessment of the development of the main motor qualities. Research methods. In the course of the study, the results were analyzed. We used search, analysis, generalization of methodological literature; we used a survey, a method of control tests. The results of the study. According to the results of the survey to identify the level of health, a high indicator was recorded, having any deviations in the state of health of a permanent or temporary nature. When passing the control standards of the university, the level of development of physical qualities and physical fitness was revealed. It is concluded that the average level of development of speed, agility, and strength is recorded. Endurance and flexibility have a low level of physical development. Physical fitness is an indicator of the general condition, level of health, physical development, development of basic physical qualities.

Exploring human factors of the agile software tester

Although extensive research has been conducted on the characteristics of the agile developer, little attention has been given to the features of the software-testing role. This paper explores the human factors of the software testers working in agile projects through a qualitative study focusing on how these factors are perceived. We interviewed 22 agile software practitioners working in three international companies: 14 testers, five developers, and three designers. Additionally, we observed 11 meetings and daily work of 13 participants in one of the companies. Our findings show that the views on the human factors shaping the agile software tester’s role were crystallized into seven traits, which the agile team members saw as central for the software-testing role: the ability to see the whole picture, good communication skills, detail-orientation, structuredness, creativeness, curiosity, and adaptability. The testers spent half their day communicating and learned how to mitigate the fact that they had to bring bad news to other project members. They also facilitated communication between the business side and development. Based on our results, we propose the seven traits as dimensions to consider for organizations recruiting agile software testers, as well as a reference for IT and non-IT professionals considering a software-testing career.

Agile Enhancement of Critical PMBoK v6 Processes

This article examines PMBOK version six applicability in agile IT projects. Based on existing scientific research about troubling compatibility of PMBOK processes and agile frameworks, enhancements of five critical project processes are postulated. These process enhancements often focus on time-limited disruptions of agile actions and a separation of macro- and micro-management between agile developments and project management practices. To verify the effectiveness of such enhancement approaches, a quantitative survey explores the applicability and current state of usage. Results show that most proposed solutions are currently not widely used in IT project management although practitioners have evaluated them as useful. However, participants tend to increase the use when understanding more about the solutions. In combination with the discovered positive rating of the effectiveness of enhancement approaches, it can be summarized that the improvement approaches are a well-perceived step towards the enhancement of PMBOK processes in agile developed IT projects.

ANALYSIS OF MODERN TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PSYCHOPHYSICAL QUALITIES OF BOXERS IN THE PROCESS OF TRAINING

Athletes prepare most of the body’s systems for boxing by engaging in one or more sports. The overall development of physical qualities is much higher in people who have previously been involved in any type of sport. For example, gymnastics promotes the development of coordination, the harmony of all parts of the body, as well as the development of coordination and technical skills, the development of agility of the athlete.

Enhancing Internal Operational Capabilities: Interplaying Top Management Commitment and Leadership Agility Development

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between top management team (TMT) commitment and leadership development on agile leaders as part of enhancing the operational capabilities of the upstream oil and gas sector. This study adopted a quantitative method with a total of 175 participants from national and international oil companies in Indonesia. Based on the structural equation modelling analysis, the research indicates that leadership agility development has a significant impact on agile leaders, and it has a key role in operational capabilities. TMT commitment has an insignificant impact on agile leaders. Future studies should examine the other consequences of the insignificant variables.

The effect of sports games on the development of the physical qualities of preschool children

The study is devoted to the search for effective and affordable means for the development of physical qualities of children of senior preschool age. The influence of various sports games on the development of speed, agility, endurance, flexibility and muscle strength is shown. It has been proven that sports games should be selected taking into account the anatomical and physiological characteristics of children of senior school age. The article presents the characteristics and structural elements of various sports games, taking into account the age of children. It has been confirmed that the activity of children in the minds of raptly changing conditions is to occupy the mind with sports games until the manifestation of a complex of psycho-physiological functions: sensorimotor reaction, reception and processing of information, kinesthetic, operative thought, respect, the process of establishing and perfecting dynamic stereotypes. A generalizing conclusion is made about the optimal use of sports games for the development of physical qualities in children of senior preschool age.

Effect of inter-organizational systems appropriation in agility and resilience development: an empirical investigation

PurposeThis study explored the role of inter-organizational systems (IOS) appropriation in the form of five key IOS usage-based capabilities, namely, IOS use for communication, intelligence, integration, collaboration and coordination in the development of tourism SC agility and resilience. Furthermore, the inter-relationship among these IOS usage-based capabilities were explored.Design/methodology/approachThe study collected perceptual measures from hotel managers and tour managers having sufficient experience in the tourism sector. With 209 completed responses, the data were analyzed using partial least squares.FindingsThe study found IOS use of communication and intelligence as prominent enablers of IOS use for integration, collaboration and coordination. Furthermore, IOS use for integration, collaboration and coordination was found to have a prominent influence in the development of tourism SC agility and resilience. However, the influence of IOS use for communication on collaboration was not supported. Also, the impact of IOS use for collaboration in tourism resilience development was not supported.Originality/valueThe study is the foremost to explore the role of IOS appropriation in the development of dynamic capabilities like agility and resilience in tourism. Furthermore, the study also contributed to extant literature on IOS appropriation through suggesting two additional factors, namely, IOS use for collaboration and coordination to the existing IOS usage-based capabilities.

Beyond the agile methods: a diagnostic tool to support the development of hybrid models

PurposeWhile agile methods have been adapted to different industries, agility depends on the alignment between the practices and project environment. Nevertheless, it is unlikely to find the best combination without a diagnosis of these variables. This paper proposes a project management agility diagnostic tool (PM/ADT), aimed at diagnosing the project environment, management practices and agility performance to find the right balance between them.Design/methodology/approachThe tool was developed by combining multiple techniques during a three-year research program, including an extensive systematic literature review, exploratory case studies, a survey and three case studies involving 25 projects from information and communications technology, software development and technology-based companies.FindingsThe results indicate potential discrepancies between environmental factors, management practices and agility performance that affect project management in organizations, allowing the diagnosis and analysis of the situation for the development of better management solutions.Research limitations/implicationsThe study reinforces the hypothesis that it may not be possible to adopt pure agile models or methods in most projects, except in specific cases, as with some projects in the software industry. This is in line with the hybrid models. However, further testing is needed with a larger sample of projects and organizations.Practical implicationsThe tool can be useful to assess different types of projects from different industry sectors to improve the management process, allowing the development of agility beyond the software industry.Originality/valueThe article discusses agility beyond measurement, assessing the most appropriate environment for using practices from one approach or another.

Особливості розвитку спритності у дітей молодшого шкільного віку в групах продовженого дня

The article is devoted to the study of the problem of agility development in children of primary school age at physical education classes in extended day groups. The aim of the article is to develop and experimentally substantiate the methodology of developing agility in children of primary school age in groups of extended day by means of moving games. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: analysis of scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observation, testing the level of agility, pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics. In the process of studying and analyzing the scientific and methodological literature, it has been determined that the additional use of moving games at physical education classes in extended day groups has a positive effect on the development of agility in primary school pupils. Also, the analysis of existing programs and methods for conducting physical education classes in extended day groups showed that they are small and outdated and need scientific justification. For a predetermined and targeted impact on the agility development in primary school pupils at physical education classes in groups of extended day was developed the author’s methodology, which took into account: the content of the school curriculum in physical education for primary school children, age, gender, fitness level, pupils’ desire to attend physical education classes. To experimentally substantiate the developed methodology, a pedagogical experiment was conducted, the results of which indicate the effectiveness of the author’s methodology for the agility development in children of primary school age at physical education classes in extended day groups.

The psychological impact of football games on the formation of individuality of students of higher education

The article presents scientific, theoretical and practical ideas about the psychological impact of football competitions on the formation of the student as a person. Sport is not only a physical and spiritual well being, it is protecting young people from harmful ideological pressure and habits, who have a great hopes for future, enabling them to realize their abilities and talents.From the point of view of sports preparation, adolescence is a young decision maker age. At this age, the greatest increase in speed, power, and agility is occurs. Special development of these qualities should be the core of the training process. Particular attention should be paid to the development of agility and in particular the speed of the reaction. It is important to do some exercises for speed, preferably with sufficient pauses for rest. The load should be increased unnoticed for those who are using the ball, exercises, and game exercises. Purposeful development of strength and endurance is mainly in the form of strength and combination exercises, along with the development of agility.

Методика розвитку фізичних якостей в учнів молодшого шкільного віку засобами рухливих ігор

The article is devoted to the research of the problem of development of physical qualities in pupils of primary school age by means of mobile games. The aim of the article is to analyze the scientific literature on the researched problem and to reveal the methods of development of physical qualities in primary school students by means of moving games. Physical, or motor, qualities are explained as indicators of the child's mobility. Their development occurs continuously during the growth and development of the child, but unevenly. Active motor activity promotes faster, and most importantly – more harmonious maturation of morphological structures and functional systems of the student's body. With the help of physical exercises and moving games, you can actively influence the process of development of physical qualities of the student, to manage their development. Carrying out a comprehensive approach to the formation of physical qualities of primary school children, it is necessary to pay attention to the development of speed, agility, endurance and flexibility, ie those qualities that are most actively developed in primary school students. A significant place in the child's play activities are occupied by games in which various motor actions in the form of walking, running, jumping, etc. are performed. Moving game is defined as one of the main means and methods of physical education and is used mainly at the stage of consolidation and improvement of motor skills. Its value lies in the fact that the mobile game evokes positive emotions, feelings of satisfaction, cheerfulness, activity, has a positive effect on the mental and physical development of the preschooler, contributes to the enrichment of motor experience of students. The purpose of moving games is to develop physical perfection in the form of physical qualities, strengthen health and shape the personality of students. A method of developing physical qualities in primary school students based on the use of moving games has been developed.

Involving Stakeholders in the Implementation of Microservice-Based Systems: A Case Study in an Ambient-Assisted Living System

Microservice-based systems promote agility and rapid business development. Some features, such as fast time-to-market, scalability and optimal response times, have encouraged stakeholders to get more involved in the development and implementation of microservices architectures in order to translate their business vision into the implementation of the architecture. Although some techniques allow the inclusion of the stakeholders' perspective in the design of microservice architectures, few proposals consider such perspectives in the selection and evaluation of technologies that implement microservice architectures. Indeed, the qualities that characterize microservice-based systems strongly depend on the suitable selection of technologies, such as application frameworks and platforms. This article proposes a collaborative technique that includes stakeholders and software architects in the selection and evaluation of application frameworks and platforms to implement microservice-based systems. We evaluated the technique in an industrial case of design and implementation of an Ambient-Assisted Living (AAL) system, which combines microservice architecture and Internet-of-Medical-Things (IoMT) sensors. The case results indicate that the proposed technique supported stakeholders in the pragmatic evaluation of alternative technological solutions. Additionally, it allowed the implementation of an AAL system that satisfies the quality specifications of stakeholders and end-users. This initial study suggests that actively including stakeholders in the implementation of microservice-based systems allows architects to make design decisions that better consider stakeholders viewpoints as well as managing their expectations.