Using Logical Architecture Models for Inter-Team Management of Distributed Agile Teams

Abstract

Projects at large-scale have been adopting agile practices in order to optimize how a group of teams deliver software, however has facing issues when dealing with work items that are dependent on each other, need for well-defined interfaces and shared understanding of the existing knowledge. Systems thinking and modeling can have important contributions in managing a process with this nature. This article proposes a design framework, called logical architecture-based distributed agile team management (LADATM), that uses logical architecture models to serve as the basis for the delivery of work items to distributed agile teams, support the identification of boundaries, dependencies and coordination needs, and derive an agile team product backlog. By performing Design Science Research (DSR) cycles, this article introduces the constructs of the LADATM framework. Afterwards, it demonstrates - using a research project - how it provided a systematized approach for process mananagement decision support for agile teams based in requirements models and through shared understanding.