1. FACTOR ANALYSIS: INVESTIGATING IMPORTANT ASPECTS
FOR AGILE ADOPTION IN MALAYSIA
{ala08r, amg, gbw} @ ecs.soton.ac.uk
WHAT WE LEARNED
Factor Analysis revealed important aspects for adopting Agile methods in Malaysia. Organisational aspects and software developers’
involvement, cultural and people-related aspects were identified as the top factors to be considered when using Agile methods. The
adopters in this study were found to be from mixed-race teams and are using English in their daily business, thus proving Agile can be
practiced with different races in a team. The analysis also showed that language aspect should not be undermined when using Agile
methods. This can help as a guidelines for software practitioners in a region and country which the information and studies about the
methods are still lacking.
BACKGROUND PROCEDURES FACTOR EXTRACTION
27 variables from a survey of early Agile 1. Determining data suitability Factor Eigenvalues 9
adopters in Malaysia were put into factor for factor analysis. (Or (Total)
8 1
component)
analysis; using SPSS version 17. Each 2. Factor extraction: to 7
1 7.852
variable for this analysis has a six-point determine the smallest 6
2 2.534
Eigenvalue
Likert-scale (from strongly agree to strongly number of factors best 3 1.937 5
disagree). represent the inter- 4 1.638 4
relationship of data. 5 1.543
OBJECTIVES 3. Factor rotation: Here factors 6 1.182
3 2
are ‘rotated’ to improved the 2 345
• To identify clusters of the variables (or items) 7 1.080 678
and how they are inter-related to produce interpretability of the factors. 8 1.028 1
27
factors. 4. Interpretation and give 9 0.890 0
• Agile dimension and meanings of the meaning to each factors. . .
0 10 20 30
. . Factor (or Component) Number
variables important for software practitioners
27 0.093 Figure: Scree Plot (Factor extraction)
in Malaysia can be understood. Table: Eigenvalues
•Factor analysis can help to provide a summary
for data inter-relationship from Agile adoption THE 8 FACTORS IDENTIFIED FROM FACTOR ANALYSIS
in Malaysia.
Factor 1: Developers’ Involvement and Organisational-related Aspects.
SUITABILITY OF DATA Factor 2:Organisational Culture and People-related Aspects.
Factor 3: Customers’ Involvement when Practicing Agile Methods.
• Keiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) – a measure of
Factor 4: Benefits/Impact when using Agile Methods.
sampling adequacy ranges from 0 to 1.
Factor 5: Disagreement over the Importance of Training and Learning when using Agile methods in Malaysia.
• From this analysis, a KMO of 0.755 was
Factor 6: Lack of Importance of Technical and Technological Aspects when using Agile Methods in Malaysia.
obtained.
Factor 7: Importance of Sharing, Knowledge-related Aspects.
Factor 8: Team Commitment and Clarity of Purpose.