Applying the Teamwork Quality Model to an Agile Program of a Utility Organization

Abstract

Agile frameworks and methods are gaining importance, especially in software development.
Thereby, agility is a means of reducing risks in uncertain and volatile environments where changes
are constantly taking place. In contrast to traditional management practices, agile frameworks
and methods rely on self-organization and leadership instead of tight control mechanisms and
rigid processes. This enables teams to react quickly and adequately to changes, even during
project implementation.
What originally started with small teams and projects is now being used for large programs
with multiple teams. This makes it increasingly dicult for managers to assess the program's
performance and whether the program is on the right track. Since agile methods build on
teamwork, one of the most critical factors for good project performance may be good teamwork.
Teamwork quality in agile programs is the center of this research. Based on the fndings in the
literature on scaling agile, teamwork, and the Teamwork Quality model (TWQ model), this
master thesis tries to apply the TWQ model to the program level of agile programs.
A case study and two surveys are conducted at a program of a utility company. In addition to
the data from this utility company, the data is aggregated with data from a similar previous case
study at a software development company in the finance sector. The results show that the TWQ
model is applicable to the program level of large-scale agile software development programs.
With this, TWQ seems to influence positively the success and performance assessed by team
members. Furthermore, there is also a slightly positive influence of TWQ on the performance
assessments of stakeholders. However, there is a negative effect of TWQ on the performance
assessments of Scrum Masters, which was identifed in previous research in a somewhat similar
way.
Even though this thesis shows that the TWQ model can be applied to large-scale agile software
development programs, more research is needed to confirm this with higher reliability and to
explain the reason for the negative influence of TWQ on the performance ratings of Scrum
Masters.

Research Questions

RQ 1: How is a large-scale agile software development program performed at a utility company?

RQ 2: Can the TWQ model be applied to the team level of a large-scale agile software development program of a utility organization?

RQ 3: Can the TWQ model be applied to the program level of large-scale agile software development programs?

RQ 4: What are commonalities and differences between the TWQ models at team and program level?

Sources