Distributed Agile Development: Using Scrum in a Large Project

Abstract

While seemingly incompatible, combining large-scale global software development and agile practices is a challenge undertaken by many companies. Case study reports on the successful use of agile practices in small distributed projects already exist. How these practices could be applied to larger projects, however, remains unstudied. This paper reports a case study on agile practices in a 40- person development organization distributed between Norway and Malaysia. Based on seven interviews in the development organization, we describe how Scrum practices were successfully applied, e.g., using teleconference and Web cameras for daily scrum meetings, synchronized 4- week sprints and weekly scrum-of-scrums. Additional agility supporting practices for distributed projects were identified, e.g., frequent visits, unofficial distributed meetings and annual gatherings are described.