On the benefits and challenges of using kanban in software engineering: a structured synthesis study

Authors

  • Paulo Sérgio Medeiro dos Santos Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Alessandro Caetano Beltrão Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Bruno Pedraça de Souza Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Guilherme Horta Travassos Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

Keywords:

Kanban, Benefits and challenges, Structured synthesis method

Abstract

Context

Kanban is increasingly being used in diverse software organizations. There is extensive research regarding its benefits and challenges in Software Engineering, reported in both primary and secondary studies. However, these results have not been synthesized yet.;

Goal

to investigate and identify the actual benefits and challenges of using Kanban in Software Engineering to support practitioners in understanding and analyzing the benefits and challenges of adopting Kanban in their software projects.;

Method

to use the Structured Synthesis Method to aggregate existing empirically-grounded evidence in the published primary studies regarding using Kanban in Software Engineering.;

Results

from the 20 selected primary studies in which over 16 benefits were identified, four had the most robust results in the aggregation, i.e., with the most confidence associated, namely: ‘work visibility,’ ‘control of project activities and tasks,’ ‘flow of work,’ and ‘time-to-market.’ Furthermore, the ‘organizational culture’ was identified as the most dominant challenge in Kanban implementations.;

Conclusions

Syntheses studies represent a fundamental step in organizing the body of evidence as an empirically-grounded reference for decision-making in practice. The benefits with most confidence indeed appear to be the ones intrinsically linked to the Lean thinking and the Kanban approach. As Kanban originated in the manufacturing, it is interesting to observe this kind of confirmation in the software domain. Still, there are several benefits and challenges which still lacks the appropriate level of evidence. We also noticed the absence of negative results reported in the technical literature. These aspects need the additional attention of the research community.;

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Published

2018-10-19

How to Cite

Medeiro dos Santos, P. S., Beltrão, A. C., de Souza, B. P., & Travassos, G. H. (2018). On the benefits and challenges of using kanban in software engineering: a structured synthesis study. Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development, 6, 13:1 – 13:29. Retrieved from https://journals-sol.sbc.org.br/index.php/jserd/article/view/443

Issue

Section

Research Article