Organizational Integration of User Experience Contributors in Agile Software Development

Abstract

The presented research shows that the involvement of user experience in software development is considered valuable in theory, but its prioritization lags behind in practice. Therefore, we investigate factors that need to be considered to improve the organizational integration of user experience contributors in agile software development. Organizational design, roles involved, and further structural aspects such as autonomy serve as a basis to allow for effective involvement of user experience contributors in product development processes. Organizational practices shape the way of how the processes of user experience and agile software development can be combined. In particular, the interconnectedness of processes, mutual prioritization, and close collaboration can be identified as key factors. Finally, we consolidate these factors into a framework and enrich them with practical implications. This framework can serve as a starting point to further explore and improve the organizational integration of user experience contributors in agile software development.