Flexibility in agile projects: Contracting practices and organisational arrangements
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Linnanmaa, auditorium L6
Topic of the dissertation
Flexibility in agile projects: Contracting practices and organisational arrangements
Doctoral candidate
Master of Science (Technology) Jouko Nuottila
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Industrial Engineering and Management
Subject of study
Industrial Engineering and Management
Opponent
Professor Kirsimarja Blomqvist, LUT University
Custos
Professor Jaakko Kujala, University of Oulu
Agile projects drive changes to project management and contracting
The adoption of agile methods in software projects has been fast. The majority of new software projects utilises agile methods, and they have radically changed the internal dynamics of software development projects. This has created a need for adjustments in the management of software projects.
In his thesis, project management researcher Jouko Nuottila focuses on flexibility as it occurs in agile software projects. The main objective of his research is to explore the nature of flexibility in agile software projects and study the challenges of project contracting and management in leveraging agile development methods.
The research was conducted as a mixed methods research. The research findings contribute to the emerging literature on agile project management. Secondarily, the results contribute to proactive contracting literature.
The results indicate that agile methods can be used to increase flexibility and efficiency in software projects, but flexibility needs to be planned by projects parties. This planning activity already starts in the negotiation phase, and it is optimally summarised in the project contract. Thus, it is also important that lawyers contributing to project contracts are aware and informed of the business contexts. The traditional project management approach needs adjustments in adopting agile practices.
The research reports several categories of challenges faced in adopting agile practices and increasing flexibility in projects. The results also indicate that projects delegate part of the decision-making authority to implementation teams in order to increase flexibility. By taking some of the decisions closer to project implementation, flexibility can be used to manage uncertainties caused by a complex environment.
Doctoral researcher Nuottila holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management. He has industrial experience in technology marketing and software product management at the Nokia corporation. He has worked in research and development positions at the University of Oulu, University of Eastern Finland and University of Lapland. Currently he works at the University of Lapland in development projects focusing on digitalisation in tourism business.
In his thesis, project management researcher Jouko Nuottila focuses on flexibility as it occurs in agile software projects. The main objective of his research is to explore the nature of flexibility in agile software projects and study the challenges of project contracting and management in leveraging agile development methods.
The research was conducted as a mixed methods research. The research findings contribute to the emerging literature on agile project management. Secondarily, the results contribute to proactive contracting literature.
The results indicate that agile methods can be used to increase flexibility and efficiency in software projects, but flexibility needs to be planned by projects parties. This planning activity already starts in the negotiation phase, and it is optimally summarised in the project contract. Thus, it is also important that lawyers contributing to project contracts are aware and informed of the business contexts. The traditional project management approach needs adjustments in adopting agile practices.
The research reports several categories of challenges faced in adopting agile practices and increasing flexibility in projects. The results also indicate that projects delegate part of the decision-making authority to implementation teams in order to increase flexibility. By taking some of the decisions closer to project implementation, flexibility can be used to manage uncertainties caused by a complex environment.
Doctoral researcher Nuottila holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management. He has industrial experience in technology marketing and software product management at the Nokia corporation. He has worked in research and development positions at the University of Oulu, University of Eastern Finland and University of Lapland. Currently he works at the University of Lapland in development projects focusing on digitalisation in tourism business.
Last updated: 1.3.2023