Agile Practices for Quantum Software Development: Practitioners’ Perspectives

Abstract

Quantum software engineering is an emerging genre of software engineering that exploit principles of quantum bits (Qubit) and quantum gates (Qgates) to solve complex computing problems effeciently than their classical counterparts. According to its proponents, agile software development practices have the potential to address many of the problems endemic to the development of quantum software. However, there is a dearth of evidence investigating whether agile practices are suitable for, and can be adopted by, software teams in the context of quantum software development. To address this lack, we conducted an empirical study to investigate the needs and challenges of using agile practices to develop quantum software. While our semi-structured interviews with 26 practitioners across 10 countries highlighted the applicability of agile practices in this domain, the interview findings also revealed new challenges impeding the effective incorporation of these practices. Our research findings provide a springboard for further contextualization and seamless integration of agile practices in quantum software engineering (QSE) to develop emerging and next generation of quantum software systems and application.