Agile requirements engineering practices and challenges: an empirical study |
| |
| Authors: | Balasubramaniam Ramesh Lan Cao Richard Baskerville |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Computer Information Systems Department, Georgia State University, 35 Broad St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30302‐4015, USA, email: bramesh@gsu.edu,;2. Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences, College of Business and Public Administration, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA, email: lcao@odu.edu;3. email: baskerville@gsu.edu, and |
| |
| Abstract: | This paper describes empirical research into agile requirements engineering (RE) practices. Based on an analysis of data collected in 16 US software development organizations, we identify six agile practices. We also identify seven challenges that are created by the use of these practices. We further analyse how this collection of practices helps mitigate some, while exacerbating other risks in RE. We provide a framework for evaluating the impact and appropriateness of agile RE practices by relating them to RE risks. Two risks that are intractable by agile RE practices emerge from the analysis. First, problems with customer inability and a lack of concurrence among customers significantly impact agile development. Second, risks associated with the neglecting non‐functional requirements such as security and scalability are a serious concern. Developers should carefully evaluate the risk factors in their project environment to understand whether the benefits of agile RE practices outweigh the costs imposed by the challenges. |
| |
| Keywords: | requirements engineering agile software development requirements engineering risks agile practices |
|
|
