Practical applications of Scrum: an empirical analysis of Product Backlog management practices

• Ano de defesa: 2024
• Autor(a) principal: Venni, Federico
• Orientador(a): Alves, André Cherubini
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Tipo de acesso: Acesso aberto
• Idioma: eng
• Palavras-chave em Português: Colaboração; Satisfação
• Palavras-chave em Inglês: Scrum; Product Backlog; Collaboration; Satisfaction
• Link de acesso: https://hdl.handle.net/10438/36300

In the ever-evolving and competitive business landscape, organizations are increasingly adopting Agile methodologies to enhance flexibility, foster collaboration, and deliver value efficiently. Among these methodologies, the Scrum framework has emerged as a prominent approach, providing structured yet adaptable tools to address the complexities of project management. Central to the Scrum framework is the Product Backlog, a dynamic and prioritized list of work items that guides the development process. Despite its critical role, practical insights into the daily management and optimization of the Product Backlog remain limited in the academic discourse. This thesis aims to bridge this gap by exploring the methodologies and practices employed by professionals in managing the Product Backlog effectively. A thorough literature review lays the groundwork by examining existing theoretical models and identifying key practices outlined in Agile and Scrum principles. Building on this foundation, the study employs an empirical approach through a structured questionnaire disseminated among Scrum practitioners across various industries. The collected data underwent rigorous statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, factor analysis, multiple regression, and k-means cluster analysis. These methods provided a multifaceted view of the prevailing practices, highlighting how factors such as team collaboration, experience level, and the utilization of specific estimation and prioritization techniques influence the overall satisfaction and effectiveness of Product Backlog management. The findings underscore the importance of collaborative story creation, regular and precise estimation of backlog items, and a continuous prioritization process to enhance the efficiency and alignment of development efforts with stakeholder expectations. Furthermore, the cluster analysis revealed distinct approaches to backlog management based on the practitioners' experience levels, offering nuanced insights into how seasoned and novice Scrum users differ in their application of these practices. This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by not only delineating the practical aspects of Product Backlog management but also offering actionable recommendations for organizations aiming to refine their Scrum processes. By understanding these practices, companies can better tailor their Agile implementations to improve project outcomes, foster team satisfaction, and ultimately drive greater value for their stakeholders.