GRAD 695: Exploring Research Topic: Agile SDLC in Finance

This assignment explores the research topic of transitioning to Agile SDLC in financial institutions. It begins with an analysis of several research articles, examining their methodologies, results, and implications for project management. The student evaluates articles on project management methodologies, essential skills, and the impact of different environments. The assignment addresses the suitability of the initial research topic, arguing that the focus on a specific methodology for all financial institutions is too rigid. The student identifies gaps in the literature, such as the lack of specific criteria for methodology selection and the need for skills tailored to specific project types. The study concludes with a shift in focus, acknowledging that project methodology adoption depends on project requirements and that project managers need expertise to select the most effective approach. The assignment highlights the importance of modern skills, the evolution of project management, and the need for adaptability in the field.

Exploring the research topic: Transition to Agile SDLC in Financial Institutions
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Keywords used in HU Library Search:
Article Name: The Impact of Project Management Methodologies on Project Success
 Link: https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/jeppm/9/2/article-p115.xml?lang=de
 Keywords: Project success, project management methodologies
 Authors: Abdulla, H., & Al-Hashmi, M.
 Methodology: Quantitative research approach
 Results: Each methodology has its implication
 Implications: Positively or negatively.
 Recommendation for future research: Project gap is on project management success on
oil and gas
Article Name: The impact of project management implementation on the successful completion
of projects in construction.
 Link (permalink preferred):
 Keywords: Project success, project management and success factor
 Authors: Al-Hajj, A., & Zraunig, M.
 Methodology: Quantitative research.
 Results: Construction project is like any other.
 Implications: Makes project execution successful.
 Recommendation for future research: proper project management influences project
success.
Article Name: Modern Project Management: Essential Skills and Techniques.
 Link:https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/
b1d9/7f068d0a07b9ea8b045a6c6b8d13e8abea09.pdf
 Keywords: Methodology, Skills, and project success.
 Authors; Attarzadeh, I., & Ow, S. H.
 Methodology: Qualitative research.
 Results: Various methodologies are available for use.
 Implications: Different methodologies gives varying results.
 Recommendation for future research: Evaluate the strength of selecting each
methodology.
Article Name: The impact of project methodologies on project success in different project
environments.
 Link: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJMPB-03-2015-0025/full/html
 Keywords: Project success, project environment and project governance.
 Authors: Joslin, R., & Muller, R
 Methodology: Quantitative approach
 Results: Different environment have unique ways of executing projects.

 Implications: Effects on project deliverable.
 Recommendation for future research: Execute similar projects in different environments
and compare the results.
Article Name: Comparison of project management methodologies
Link: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.695.1164&rep=rep1&type=pdf
 Keywords: Best practices, IT project management, PMBOK and PRINCE2.
 Authors: Karaman, E., & Kurt, M.
 Methodology: Qualitative research.
 Results: The two methodologies are different but closely related.
 Implications: Takes project through different phases.
 Recommendation for future research: Coming up with another best methodology
Question One

The article on essential skills and modern project management techniques was very
helpful because it helped in understanding the need to acquire modern skills in the project
management field. It highlights the meaning of project methodology, the available number of
project methodology and some considerations which should be made before selecting any
methodology (Attarzadeh, & Ow, 2008). On the same note, the article highlighted the existing
difference between traditional and modern project management techniques. Through a discussion
of different project methodologies and the discussion on the selection of best methodology, the
article was useful as it helped determine which methodology would be suitable during project
title formulation.
Question Two
First, the research topic on “Transition to Agile SDLC in Financial Institutions” is not
clear as it is difficult to understand which type of transition is required in the financial
institutions. Secondly, the research topic is framed to mean all financial institutions should adopt
agile irrespective of the project. The selection of the project methodology to follow cannot be
fixed because the methodology is dependent on project requirements (Joslin, & Muller, 2016).
Thirdly, fixing development methodology in financial institutions creates a project
implementation crisis. By adopting only one development methodology leaves financial
institutions with no choice but to adopt the agile methodology. It is important to note that, project
requirements dictate the nature of methodology to adopt but not the nature of the institutions.
Question Three

The selected study topic contributes greatly to the project management field by
contributing substantial attributes to the existing knowledge. First, by evaluating an article which
differentiates between traditional and modern project management techniques helps to
contextualize the changes that have taken place in the project management field (Al-Hajj, &
Zraunig, 2018). As a result, project managers and stakeholders can use the study to contrast the
evolution of project management. The study evaluates modern essential skills that every
stakeholder in project management should possess to remain relevant in the field. In this case,
due to technological advancements, change in skills is very important to help all stakeholders
understand market prevailing conditions.
Question Four
From the literature review, it has been observed that there is no specific criterion outlined
in the selection of the best methodology. The selection has been left out on the project
stakeholders and specifically project managers to compare and select the most suitable one.
Next, the pieces of literature do not outline the skills required for a specific type of project. It is
important to note that each project is unique and applicable skills in one project do not guarantee
success in the other related project. Finally, the impacts of the selected methodology on the
success of the project do not classify and associate the impacts on a specific group of projects.
This makes it difficult to understand which category of the project is affected by a certain
methodology.

Question Five
The focus of the study has changed because the evaluation of the articles and literature
presented a wide view of concepts in project management. Initially, it was perceived that
financial institutions are very sensitive and should adopt pre-defined methodology during project
implementation. Having understood that project methodology adoption is dependent on specific
project requirements, it turned out challenging to hold on specific methodology to all financial
institution projects. It is apparent that each project is unique and project managers are required to
be very knowledgeable and experienced in project management to understand the effects of
selecting either of the methodology (Karaman, & Kurt, 2015).
References
Abdulla, H., & Al-Hashmi, M. (2019). The Impact of Project Management Methodologies on
Project Success: A Case Study of the Oil and Gas Industry. Journal of Engineering,
Project, and Production Management, 9(2), 115-125.
https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/jeppm/9/2/article-p115.xml?lang=de
Al-Hajj, A., & Zraunig, M. (2018). The impact of project management implementation on the
successful completion of projects in construction. International Journal of Innovation,
Management, and Technology, 9(1), 21-27.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Assem_Al-
Hajj/publication/323539612_The_Impact_of_Project_Management_Implementation_on_
the_Successful_Completion_of_Projects_in_Construction/links/5a9ada3745851586a2ac1
def/The-Impact-of-Project-Management-Implementation-on-the-Successful-Completion-
of-Projects-in-Construction.pdf
Attarzadeh, I., & Ow, S. H. (2008). Modern project management: essential skills and
techniques. Communications of the IBIMA, 2, 1-9.
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/b1d9/7f068d0a07b9ea8b045a6c6b8d13e8abea09.pdf
Joslin, R., & Müller, R. (2016). The impact of project methodologies on project success in
different project environments. International Journal of Managing Projects in

Business, 9(2), 364-388. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJMPB-03-
2015-0025/full/html
Karaman, E., & Kurt, M. (2015). Comparison of project management methodologies: prince
2 versus PMBOK for its projects. Int. Journal of Applied Sciences and Engineering
Research, 4(4), 572-579. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?
doi=10.1.1.695.1164&rep=rep1&type=pdf