Understanding Agile Software, Extreme Programming, and Agile Modeling

Failure rates for systems development projects are estimated to approach 50% (Hirsch, 2002). In such an environment, a growing number of developers propose the use of so-called agile methodologies as one means of improving the systems developed while simultaneously decreasing failure rates. Agile proponents insist that adherence to The Agile Manifesto will improve the entire systems development process. This chapter begins by describing some of the agile methodologies, follows that with an overview of current research in the area, and closes with thoughts on possibilities for future applied research into the agile methodologies that could provide evidence supporting or disputing the many claims for success emerging from the field.