Linking Team Communication to Agile Software Development Project Success: Mediating Role of Team Adaptability and Moderating Effect of Shared Goals

Abstract

In order to accomplish the requirements of Agile software development, an environment characterized as being very flexible is required to be able to collaborate with team members effectively and to align the needs of all team members with the goals of the project. Although Agile methodologies have been adopted by many companies globally, there is little evidence of studies that investigate the impact of individual factors at the level of a team on the outcomes of an Agile project; especially within countries in the developing world. This study utilizes the Input–Process–Output (IPO) model to assess the relationship between the communication of a team and the success of the projects of an Agile software development process, in addition to assessing the mediating role of team adaptability and the moderating effects of shared goals. A Quantitative Research Design was used to collect the data from Professionals in Pakistan who work on Agile Software Development Teams, such as Project Managers, Scrum Masters, and Software Developers. Data collection occurred via a Structured Questionnaire. A PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model) was performed via the SmartPLS program to evaluate the direct, mediating and moderating relationships of the study variables. Results indicate that team communication among team members positively affects the success of Agile Software Development Projects. Results also indicate that Team Adaptability partially mediated the relationship between Team Communication and Agile Software Development Project Success. Therefore, team communication will increase Agile Software Development Project Success through enabling teams to adapt to the changes in project requirements. Also results indicate that Shared Goals significantly moderated the relationship between Team Communication and Agile Software Development Project Success. Thus, Higher Goal Alignment will strengthen Team Effectiveness and therefore produce better Agile Project Outcomes. Therefore, this study extends the use of the IPO model in Agile Project Management Literature through the inclusion of Communication, Adaptability, and Shared Goals. Additionally, the findings of this study offer valuable information to Project Managers and Organizations on the best ways to implement communication practices, encourage team adaptability, and establish shared goals to improve the success of Agile Software Development Projects.