- Agile Methodology in Startups -Towards a defined Agile Practice for Startups

Abstract

This thesis examines the potential for adoption of an Agile methodology in startups outside of software development. These startups face similar challenges to those addressed by Agile principles, practices and tools, while also existing in environments defined by uncertainty. The clear parallels between the intended use case for Agile Methodologies and these startups show great promise for effective implementation. Despite this, the implementation of Agile principles, practices and tools in startups is not sufficiently explored in the entrepreneurship literature.¨

Through conducting semi-structured interviews in a multiple case study of Norwegian ecommerce startups the thesis seeks to explore the potential for the application of Agile principles, practices and tools in Startups with physical product development. Following a discussion and comparison with extant literature it argues that startups can leverage a flexible hybrid approach of the Scrum and Agile Kanban framework, Scrumban, and build upon some of the unintentionally existing structures of agile within the startup. This could effectively alleviate many of their challenges, while overcoming barriers to adopting the existing Agile methodology.