A critical examination of recent industrial surveys on agile method usage

摘要: Abstract Context Practitioners and researchers often claim that agile methods have moved into the mainstream for last few years. To support this they refer to recent industrial surveys which tend report high rates of method usage. However many these are conducted by consultants, tool vendors, professional societies independent technology market research organizations. This raises some important concerns about possible conflict interest overall trustworthiness studies. Objective In response above concerns, a secondary study was carried out. Its objective examine published in 2011 2012, determine extent we could trust their reported usage provide recommendations on how quality be improved future. Method Following rigorous search procedure, nine 2012 were extracted from both academia industry. Their thoroughness reporting evaluated using newly proposed assessment framework based Guba's four attributes (truth value, applicability, consistency neutrality) number assessing survey related fields as information, communication management Results The careful examination reviewed shows most studies insufficient (subsequently) low trustworthiness. Only one (out nine) is considered scientific contribution determining current 2011/2012 rate Conclusions obtained results our initial considerations suggest increasing value future regard.