Preparing a Review of a Case Study for Agile Software Development Approach: Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Identify the Key Problem or Issue

Students are required to prepare a review of a case study, based on the ONE of the experience report paps from the 2019 XP/Agile Conference. The aim of the review essay is to

(i) identify a key problem or issue related to the agile software development approach described in the experience report, and
(ii) analyse and present the current practice and state of research on the issue and
(iii) given the benefit of hindsight, provide your insights and reflections (or recommendations) on what the organisation should do (or should have done) to avoid or minimise the problem, irrespective of what they actually did.

Step 2: Case Study:

Review and provide an executive summary of the case study, outlining in your own words:

• Who the organisation is, what they are trying to do, and why (e.g. what issue are they trying to address with the project, or what are the drivers)

• Select ONE of the issues or problems that the company faced during the project – briefly explain what the problem was, what they did and what was the outcome Note: Please clearly indicate the name of the case you are working on.

Step 3: Viewpoint and Analysis

Viewpoint: Focusing on the problem or issue you have selected, place yourself in the role of the author of the case or a key decision maker in the context (as appropriate) Next, you are to probe deeply into the problem/issue you identified and review and analyse the literature/ current practice on the topic/problem area. Use the literature to help you to better understand the situation  faced, e.g. how the problem may have come about, how effective their actions to address it may have been, other issues that may (or did) arise from the actions taken, etc.

Based on your insights from the case, the literature, current practice etc., make a recommendation to the organisation, as to what you believe they should do (irrespective of what they actually did), or how they could have avoided or minimised the issue/problem. Your recommendation MUST be thoroughly supported by your  reflection on the case, the literature and current state of practice, your knowledge of AGILE methods etc. Please also note any open issues.

Step 4: Preparing your case analysis.

Your case analysis paper will essentially comprise

(1) An overview of the case study/experience report,

(2) Clear identification of the selected issue/problem followed by a critical review of the issue based on the case context, and insights from the literature/current practice, and

(3) Your recommendations on how the issue might have been avoided or minimized, or addressed.
In other words, your essay should provide a critical review/analysis and discussion of the issue by combiningthe case study experience with the insights, prior research, recommendations or findings of various authors. Finally, in concluding your paper, identify and explain any open issues. This may revolve around what we do
not know, or potential consequences as a result of the recommended actions.