A Comparative Analysis of Agile Teamwork Quality Instruments in Agile Software Development: A Qualitative Approach

Abstract

Multiple models (or instruments) for measuring Teamwork Quality (TWQ) for Agile Software Development (ASD) have been created. Regardless, such models have different constructs and measures, with a limited understanding of how they are related with literature factors in ASD. [Objective] Our goal is to understand how specific instruments for ASD are related, considering the relation with ASD literature factors. [Method] We analyzed three specific teamwork instruments for ASD (ASD instruments), namely ATEM, aTWQ and TWQ-BN, comparing quantitatively factors and questions to identify which ones such instruments use most and patterns among ASD literature factors. Then, we compared them qualitatively with ASD factors, given that they are specific instruments in agile context considering the solid theories that support them. [Results] The results showed that the Team Orientation and Coordination themes were identified in the first and second positions, considering the frequencies of instrument questions and literature-based Thematic Network themes (factors). Qualitative concepts can be investigated considering the ASD factors from the knowledge of the identified parts of the agile instruments. [Conclusion] There is conceptually a correlation between the identified frequencies of the ASD factors with the ASD instruments factors. We argue to add other ASD instruments to be compared to solidify the results found in this study, so we advocate further studies on this topic.