The dark side of agile software development

Abstract

We believe, that like most innovations, Agile has followed the Gartner Hype Cycle and it has now reached the Trough of Disillusionment, where it is currently stuck. Moreover, we believe this is due to a "guru phenomenon." However, we think that Agile can make a step forward. Our experience lead us to the conviction that through the application of a suitable quality improvement paradigm Agile will be able to reach what Gartner's experts call the Slope of Enlightenment and eventually the Plateau of Productivity.