Boosting Agile by Using User-Centered Design and Lean Startup: A Case Study of the Adoption of the Combined Approach in Software Development
Ingrid Signoretti, Sabrina dos Santos Marczak, Larissa Salerno, Augusto de Lara, Ricardo Melo Bastos · 2019
Background: Despite the claimed benefits of an agile transformation, user involvement and added value are still reported as challenges in software development. A combined use of User-Centered Design and Lean Startup with Agile Development has been pointed out as a means to minimize these challenges. Aims: This paper aimed to characterize how a transformation to such combined approach takes place in a multinational company, as well as to point out benefits and challenges to undergo such transformation. Method: We performed a multiple case study. We collected data through semi-structured interviews, focus group session, questionnaire and observations. Results: Our study revealed two major strategies to conduct the transformation: to create a dedicated Transformation Team to lead it and to make a Transformation Package Toolkit available to team members. Also, introducing a Product Designer role to a cross-functional team and using experimentation are among the most important benefits. Managerial mindset change and team autonomy are among the most concerning challenges. Conclusions: Our results bring implications to industry practitioners: organizational and cultural changes involve role and responsibilities definitions, introduction of new working processes, and are dependent upon user engagement and managerial support. These sound paramount to organizations that aim to succeed in this yet-to-be-further-understood transformation.