Agile methods in embedded system development: Multiple-case study of three industrial cases

Könnölä, Kaisa; Suomi, Samuli; Mäkilä, Tuomas; Jokela, Tero; Rantala, Ville; Lehtonen, Teijo

doi:10.1016/j.jss.2016.05.001

Cited by 24 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In space system development and in embedded system development, there is a need to carefully select or tailor the practices. This was also noted in our recent study [38]. A case study can enhance the knowledge over the challenges and benefits of agile methods in embedded space system development.…”

Section: Embedded System Developmentsupporting

confidence: 75%

Can embedded space system development benefit from agile practices?

et al. 2016

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We study in this work piloting agile practices in embedded space system development projects. The case involves three companies acting as last or next to last subcontractors in a space project. Initial interviews and a subsequent survey revealed challenges that embedded space system development poses to the agile software development. These include high specialization and emphasis on individual performance, formal customer interface requiring extensive documentation, and the management of several simultaneous projects. Iterative way of working is characteristic to agile systems development, but novel to the examined project teams. We observed that it enhanced team collaboration through planning and reviewing the work together and in transferring emphasis from the individuals to the team. Resource allocation between projects was taken properly into account when planning the iteration, or when cancelling an iteration for the project. Furthermore, the customer interface was tackled better by utilizing backlogs. According to the end survey and interviews, the main benefits of the agile practices were better communication and knowledge sharing inside the team, enhanced teamwork, and setting the pace for the sometimes slowly proceeding embedded space system development. Also documentation, while it barely changed, was seen more adequate in two of the cases. Overall, the teams felt that they were given a better possibility to affect their ways of working. The case study results show that agile practices can be applied to embedded space system development with notable benefits.

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Section: Embedded System Developmentsupporting

confidence: 75%

Can embedded space system development benefit from agile practices?

et al. 2016

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“…The next disadvantage is that, particularly, in the space industry the traditional plan‐driven approach are typically long lead times on hardware development . A study done by Watson, Neeley, and Blackburn at NASA found that 2 of the major drivers of launch vehicle cost was production of development hardware and development test cost.…”

Section: Plan‐driven Life‐cycle Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many systems engineers who follow an Agile SE approach misinterpret the principles of Agile SE as advocating for less process control and less documentation . Since the Agile SE approach emphasizes enhanced teamwork and communication, it often leads to a diminished need for documentation . Agile SE practitioners may interpret this as documentation is not needed.…”

Section: Agile Se Life‐cycle Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

Launch vehicle systems engineering life‐cycle evolution and comparison

Gibson

2019

Systems Engineering

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Historically, through extensive government involvement, most orbital rocket companies have adopted the government's systems engineering approach. However, over the past decade, the Federal government has been less involved in the development of new launch vehicles. The diminishing involvement by the Federal government has given way to the rise of nontraditional systems engineering life‐cycle approaches for launch vehicle development. This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of the different system engineering life‐cycle approaches in the launch vehicle industry.

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“…Context method guidance [24] procedures, artifacts, roles [16] [14] Recently, some authors began to describe cases of the introduction of Scrum to non-traditional contexts. For example, Könnölä et al (2016) report on successful adoption of Scrum to embedded system development [24].…”

Section: Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, Könnölä et al (2016) report on successful adoption of Scrum to embedded system development [24]. They provide method guidance highlighting the specific needs of this context, such as longer iteration cycle of hardware development compared to software development.…”

Section: Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%