Using Management Methods from the Software Development Industry to Manage Classroom-Based Research

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This case details a classroom-based research and development project facilitated with management approaches adapted from the software industry to the classroom, specifically a combination of the methods generally known as 'Scrum' and 'Agile'. Scrum Management and Agile Software Development were developed in response to the difficulties of project management in the constantly changing world of technology. The ongoing project takes a classroom of students and has them design and conduct research based on software tools they develop. An emphasis of the project is conducting research that involves all class members and makes students think critically about group management.