Agile Software Requirements Engineering Challenges-Solutions—A Conceptual Framework from Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Agile software requirements engineering processes enable quick responses to reflect changes in the client’s software requirements. However, there are challenges associated with agile requirements engineering processes, which hinder fast, sustainable software development. Research addressing the challenges with available solutions is patchy, diverse and inclusive. In this study, we use a systematic literature review coupled with thematic classification and gap mapping analysis to examine extant solutions against challenges; the typologies/classifications of challenges faced with agile software development in general and specifically in requirements engineering and how the solutions address the challenges. Our study covers the period from 2009 to 2023. Scopus—the largest database for credible academic publications was searched. Using the exclusion criteria to filter the articles, a total of 78 valid papers were selected and reviewed. Following our investigation, we develop a framework that takes a three-dimensional view of agile requirements engineering solutions and suggest an orchestrated approach balancing the focus between the business context, project management and agile techniques. This study contributes to the theoretical frontier of agile software requirement engineering approaches and guidelines for practice.

Barriers of Agile Requirements Engineering in the Public Sector: A Systematic Literature Review

“…8 explains the comparison of our research findings with prior studies. Practices discussed by Inayat et al (2015) encompassed various practices in more detail compared to the research findings of Hoy and Xu (2023). In contrast, our findings present comprehensive practical action that suits the public sector atmosphere.…”

“…Previous research has delved into the difficulties presented by the collaboration-focused Agile approach to handling requirements engineering tasks. In this section, identified challenges in this study are compared with prior studies (Hoy & Xu, 2023;Inayat et al, 2015). Table 7 demonstrates the comparison of our research findings with current literature.…”

“…In software development specifically, customers must possess a thorough understanding of the desired value to be translated into software products. However, in many cases, as identified by Hoy and Xu (2023) and Inayat et al (2015), qualifications did not exist on the customer side. Our discoveries delved deeply into this area of the public sector domain where the public sector's representatives do not possess sufficient understanding of the requirements (C14) or Agile values (C15).…”

“…Some antecedent studies have discovered the challenges of Agile RE in general (Hoy & Xu, 2023;Inayat et al, 2015). Some of the identified challenges are also found in the public sector, such as minimal documentation (C17), inappropriate prioritization method (C11), customer unavailable or low availability (C4 & C6), inappropriate architecture (C9), and inaccurate effort estimation (C20).…”

“…We found the similarity between possible solutions for Agile RE offered in the public sector and in general (Hoy & Xu, 2023), including regular reviews of requirements (P12), ensuring requirements are traceable (P15), prioritizing requirements based on value (P18), and establishing the project's shared vision (P24). On the other hand, we discovered some unique characteristics in bureaucratic environments.…”