For many people the appeal of agile methodologies is their reaction to the bureaucracy of the monumental methodologies. These new methods attempt a useful compromise between no process and too much process, providing just enough process to gain a reasonable payoff. The result of all of this is that agile methods have some significant changes in emphasis from engineering methods. The most immediate difference is that they are less document-oriented, usually emphasizing a smaller amount of documentation for a given task. In many ways they are rather code-oriented: following a route that says that the key part of documentation is source code.

MANAGEMENT

Many tools, support infrastructure and other aids are used in software engineering. The Agile Manifesto emphasizes people rather than bureaucratic processes and tools. But effective tools can provide people with an enhanced working environment although some may actually impede agile processes. Research is needed into what tools and infrastructure are useful for AMs.

HUMAN FACTORS

Software development is a social activity carried out in teams, teams of developers and, often, teams of customers. The personal interaction between the people involved is often a key factor in success. Research is needed in identifying how the personal, human dimension relates to AMs and their possible success.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Many tools, support infrastructure and other aids are used in software engineering. The Agile Manifesto emphasizes people rather than bureaucratic processes and tools. But effective tools can provide people with an enhanced working environment although some may actually impede agile processes. Research is needed into what tools and infrastructure are useful for AMs.

TECHNICAL

Software development is a social activity carried out in teams, teams of developers and, often, teams of customers. The personal interaction between the people involved is often a key factor in success. Research is needed in identifying how the personal, human dimension relates to AMs and their possible success.

BUSINESS

Agile Methodologies have emerged because of a strong pull from business. The problems of traditional methodologies in delivering high quality software, that provides the support that the business currently needs, in a timely manner, have been a major discussion point in software engineering. Many surveys of the industry demonstrate that a large proportion of software delivered is not fit for its intended use, it doesn't support the business need, it's of poor quality etc.