Agile methodologies and the emergence of the agile organization: A software development approach waiting for its time?

Agile methodologies such as XP have emerged as a major thrust in the computer software development arena. Almost contemporaneously, an organisational theory highly aligned with the values of agile methodologies has mutated from the ‘restructuring’ paradigm. This paper presents an overview of agile methodologies and the key features of the agile corporation, exploring the synergistic relationship they engender. The paper examines whether agile methodologies are used in practice and what factors facilitate and inhibit its adoption in development of web based information systems due to organisational realities. The paper concludes that agile methodologies are gaining widespread acceptance but there is often a misalignment with organisational culture and values. In some corporations, agile methods need to be adapted to survive. In many others, their time will only come when changes in structure, culture and values have occurred.