Scaling Agile for Large Multi-Stakeholder Projects

Agile methods have radically changed the way software processing is done and projects of IT are done by enterprises around the world. Initially intended to work on small/co-located teams, agile practices have been developed to address large, complex projects that include distributed teams with more than one or two functions and geographies. The associated challenges in this expansion consist of management of interdependent teams with coordination, alignment of a variety of strategies, negotiation of conflicting interests of the stakeholders and strict regulatory requirements. To assess the application of major agile scaling models to multifaceted IT organizations with highly complex ecosystems, this paper will result in a qualitative analysis of the main agile scaling frameworks including Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS), and Disciplined Agile (DA). The proposed research will employ the use of multi-case study, as it combines the empirical evidence of best IT companies and defense sector projects with high compliance rates. Transformational leadership coupled with executive sponsorship in the development of organizational preparedness and the specific adaptation of frameworks to the specifics of enterprises have been found to represent essential factors of success. On the other hand, barriers like administration issues, architecture, cultural resistance and integration of previous systems are critically discussed. The article offers a best practice roadmap to project managers and enterprise architects and focuses on key strategies to be used in effecting successful change management, process optimization and technology enablement, in large-scale agile transformations. Framing previously tested paradigms of agile scale to the active contexts of digital change and legislative change, the study contributes to the academic rhetoric in enterprise agility. The contributions can give practitioners and researchers working in the field relevant insights into how to streamline agile scaling, maximize innovation and responsiveness, and value creation in multi-stakeholder settings.