Enablers and inhibitors in agile teams: a case study using challenge based learning for mobile application development

Mobile application development requires fast development due to shorter go-to market initiatives. In this context, understanding agile teams is crucial for the mobile software development industry. Thus, identifying and understanding enablers and inhibitors of agile teams in active learning environments has become a research opportunity among the software engineering research community and it is the main goal of this study. To achieve this study goal, we have performed a one-month case study with 50 individuals as part of a two-year mobile development course that teaches iOS development to undergraduate students in a Challenge Based Learning environment. In the course, students experience an agile environment developing mobile applications, dedicating 20 hours a week for the development of real world projects. The case study was conducted in two stages, both of which were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the first stage, we have found 33 positive aspects as well as 33 negative aspects reported by participants. However, on the second stage participants have reported 30 positive aspects and 35 negative aspects. The set of both positive aspects and negative aspects partially repeats from the first stage to the second stage. We concluded that team relationship, communication and engagement positively influence mobile application development in agile environments. At the same time, this study also presented negative influences for mobile application development teams, such as teams working remotely (because of COVID-19), lack of knowledge and bad planning.