Critical Success Factors in Software Development Methodology Fit: A Contingency Approach

Abstract

This study sought to examine the importance of software developmentmethodology fit in project success. It aimed at answering the followingthree questions: (1) Does one particular software developmentmethodology (SDM) increase project success independent of theproject and its environment? (2): For successful projects, whatcontingencies (if any) influence on choice of the SDM that Fits? (3):Does the degree of SDM fit predict project success? Members ofthe PRINCE2, PMI andAgile communities of practice were engagedvia local interviews and an international survey.Exploratory factor analysis of survey data revealed that SDMwas not correlated with project success. One size does not fit all.Correlation and regression analysis of successful projects revealedcontingencies that predict the SDM that fits successful projects.Regression analysis identified that the degree of SDM fit, the team ' sexperience level and instability of the organizational environment aresignificant predictors of project success.Key words: Communities of practice, contingency, critical success factors,process innovation, software development methodology choice