Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
What are the drivers for the burgeoning interest in agile methods? Have these drivers stimulated a similar rethinking on other fronts? What have we discovered? In this paper, I take a reflective stance in order to look at these larger issues and patterns. This stepping back is informed primarily by involvement in a multi-year research project on Quality Software Development @ Internet Speed and ongoing research on diffusion theory and the practices of technology adoption. I suggest the shift toward agile models and methods signals a larger transformation in the workplace toward the organization of the 21st century. This transition state is "between paradigms" and turbulent, marked by relentless change and volatility. The transition is a work in progress and by no means complete.
Cite This SEI Report
Levine, L. (2005, May 1). Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/.
@techreport{levine_2005,
author={Levine, Linda},
title={Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead},
month={May},
year={2005},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Oct-18}
}
Levine, Linda. "Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, May 1, 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/.
L. Levine, "Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-May-2005 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/. [Accessed: 18-Oct-2026].
Levine, Linda. "Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 May. 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.
Levine, Linda. Reflections on Software Agility and Agile Methods: Challenges, Dilemmas, and the Way Ahead. Software Engineering Institute. 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/reflections-on-software-agility-and-agile-methods-challenges-dilemmas-and-the-way-ahead/