Exploring defect data, quality and engagement during agile transformation at a large multisite organization

Abstract

Agile methods promise improvements in code quality, but getting the full benefits is claimed to take years. A lack of visibility to improvements in the early stages of agile transformation can result in motivation decrease among the people in the organization, and thus slow down the agile transformation progress. In this study we analyzed defect data in a large multisite organization during the first six months of agile transformation. Defect data was compared to the results of a survey on agile transformation experiences and perceptions, which was conducted in the organization six months after starting the agile transformation. According to the results, improvements were visible in the defect data, but less than 25% of the people in the organization felt that quality had improved. Further study revealed that a realistic perception of the positive changes in the defect data coincided with positive emotional engagement in agile transformation. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.