Control In Agile IS Development Projects: Looking Beyond Agency Theory

Virag, Peter (2021) Control In Agile IS Development Projects: Looking Beyond Agency Theory. Procedia Computer Science. pp. 3-14. ISSN 1877-0509

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Abstract

Information systems development (ISD) project control has been traditionally seen as a tool against agency concerns, i.e. to align the interests of project participants with the organization’s interests. However, this perspective barely fits into the agile worldview. Agile methods, that became popular choices for ISD projects, shifted away from the commander role of project leaders, and propagate the importance of collaboration and facilitation. Therefore, it became ambiguous why project managers of agile ISD projects engage in control activities. This qualitative study employs the “Gioia method” to investigate managerial reasons for these exercises and draws attention to the range of problems and needs these procedures can address. The analysis found that control mechanisms are enacted not only due to agency concerns, but also to enhance cooperation and communication, to signal to senior management and to become isomorphic with other projects.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Agile methods; Project control; Agency theory; Stewardship theory
Divisions:	Departments > Wirtschaftsinformatik u. Operations Mgmt > Information Management and Control
Version of the Document:	Published
Depositing User:	Gertraud Novotny
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2021 11:05
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2021 11:05
Related URLs:	Publisher
FIDES Link:	https://bach.wu.ac.at/d/research/results/99657/
URI:	https://epub.wu.ac.at/id/eprint/8104

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