Group decision-making processes in teams guided by Agile principles

Olha Yushchenko

Master's thesis

Decision-making Processes in Teams Guided by Agile Principles

Abstract:

Interest in agile methodologies is growing across many industries. Scrum methodology is undoubtedly the most used agile framework. The decision-making process in Scrum teams is complex and can be affected by various factors. Inspired by theories and models of consensus-based group decision-making, the aim of the diploma thesis was to determine the coping strategy used by Scrum teams to subdue the decision-making challenges and to resolve conflicts that occur during the decision-making process. The research determined three categories of factors which contribute to the creation of a favorable environment for reaching consensus during the decision-making process. Furthermore, results showed that consensus between various stakeholders is facilitated by the Product Owner, while consensus on the level of the team is built by the Scrum Master. The decision-making challenges that Scrum teams face were then examined in the light of the corresponding Scrum principles. This thesis contributes to current theory on decision-making in Scrum teams and proposes to expand the description of the Scrum Master responsibilities to reflect the Scrum Master’s role in cognitive conflict facilitation and the team’s consensus building.

Abstract:

Interest in agile methodologies is growing across many industries. Scrum methodology is undoubtedly the most used agile framework. The decision-making process in Scrum teams is complex and can be affected by various factors. Inspired by theories and models of consensus-based group decision-making, the aim of the diploma thesis was to determine the coping strategy used by Scrum teams to subdue the decision-making challenges and to resolve conflicts that occur during the decision-making process. The research determined three categories of factors which contribute to the creation of a favorable environment for reaching consensus during the decision-making process. Furthermore, results showed that consensus between various stakeholders is facilitated by the Product Owner, while consensus on the level of the team is built by the Scrum Master. The decision-making challenges that Scrum teams face were then examined in the light of the corresponding Scrum principles. This thesis contributes to current theory on decision-making in Scrum teams and proposes to expand the description of the Scrum Master responsibilities to reflect the Scrum Master’s role in cognitive conflict facilitation and the team’s consensus building.

Keywords

Decision-making, Conflicts, Challenges, Scrum team, Scrum Master, Consensus

Keywords

Decision-making, Consensus, Conflicts, Challenges, Scrum team, Scrum Master

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 25. 8. 2021

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 30. 9. 2021
• Supervisor: Jiří Hájek
• Reader: Miroslav Krupa

Vysoká škola ekonomická v Praze

Master programme / field:
Ekonomika a management / International Management