Adoption of Agile Scaling Practices in Globally Distributed Software Development Teams: A Systematic Literature Review
Sajani Gandhira, Ruwan Wickramarachchi · 2025
The increasing globalization of the software industry has led organizations to adopt distributed team models, leveraging global talent pools and technological advancements. Concurrently, Agile methodologies have become a framework for managing software development projects, offering flexibility and responsiveness. However, Agile scaling practices within Globally Distributed Software Development (GDSD) environments present unique challenges. This paper aims to identify the factors influencing the adoption of Agile scaling practices in the GDSD context. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. The review analyzed 47 primary studies from databases and identified eight key factors. Based on the literature analysis, a conceptual model was designed to depict the connections between key factors and the adoption of Agile scaling within GDSD. This model offers a structured framework that organizations can leverage to effectively implement Agile methodologies in distributed settings. The findings from this study provide essential guidance for organizations seeking to adopt Agile scaling practices in globally distributed software development environments.