Does agile methodology fit all characteristics of software projects? Review and analysis

The agile paradigm for software projects has significantly impacted software development worldwide. It is currently widely accepted as having advantages in accommodating changes due to volatile requirements. However, several aspects of the agile paradigm and its compatibility with various software project characteristics remain empirically under-researched. In this paper, we employ a systematic literature review (SLR) to assess the compatibility of agile methodology with the characteristics of software development projects. We have mapped the characteristics to create a two-dimensional decision-making framework comprised of the software development life cycle (SDLC) phases (the y-axis) and knowledge areas derived from the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) (the x-axis). We have then explored the position-sentiment regarding each cell of the decision-making framework as it is expressed in a wide set of academic articles, to help researchers and practitioners evaluate the compatibility of the agile methodology with the software project they are dealing with. Predictably, this would assist them in effectively assigning the agile methodology to suitable projects.