The Social Nature of Agile Teams

TLDR

Agile methodologies emphasize a people‑centric approach to software delivery, and systems theory suggests that human agency and motivational factors such as pride shape how such systems should be studied. The study investigates how agile practices structure and mediate individual experiences and team interactions to support social processes that contribute to success. The authors employed qualitative grounded theory to examine socio‑psychological experiences within agile teams viewed as complex adaptive socio‑technical systems. Results show that agile methods support social identity and collective effort.

Abstract

Agile methodologies represent a 'people' centered approach to delivering software. This paper investigates the social processes that contribute to their success. Qualitative grounded theory was used to explore socio-psychological experiences in agile teams, where agile teams were viewed as complex adaptive socio-technical systems. Advances in systems theory suggest that human agency changes the nature of a system and how it should be studied. In particular, end-goals and positive sources of motivation, such as pride, become important. Research included the questions: How do agile practices structure and mediate the experience of individuals developing software? And in particular, how do agile practices mediate the interaction between individuals and the team as a whole? Results support an understanding of how social identity and collective effort are supported by agile methods.