How to get the most out of extreme programming/agile methods

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an analysis of thirty-one extreme programming (XP)/agile methods early adopter projects completed by fourteen firms who have embraced the techniques in the form of lessons learned. The survey results show that early adopters have cut costs, improved productivity and reduced time to market through the use of these methods. To get the most from these methods, fifteen lessons learned have been developed that build on the experiences of others. Several of these lessons run counter to the teachings of the methodology developers. The paper next provides a scorecard that rates XP’s performance in eight application domains. The paper concludes by summarizing four critical success factors for early adopters.