The Hybrid Application of Agile Project Management in IT Banking System: Optimization of Traditional Framework

This thesis’ project is based on the awareness of the potentiality of the Modern Project Management with respect to the Traditional Project Management, that is the most diffused approach for the governance of the software development in IT Banking System. The aim of the thesis is therefore to optimize the traditional Waterfall Project Management framework by means of the hybrid application of Agile Project Management in the banking software development lifecycle. The present work provides a theoretical part that introduces the reader in the Project Management concepts. It first focuses on the Waterfall methodology by describing the phases’ flow, the benefits and the drawbacks related with this traditional approach. Secondly, the thesis aims attention at the modern techniques of Project Management known as Agile methodologies where the focal point is the Scrum Agile. Then, the differences in terms of advantages and disadvantages between the Waterfall Project Management and the Scrum Agile are critically shown in a study concerning some Key Performance Indicators and their Delta. Hence, the thesis switches from theory to practice by taking into consideration the case study of the Bank and its Information Technology framework. The banking IT structure is described as well as the architecture of the IT unit subject of analysis, named IT-Alfa. In order to seek the thesis’ objective, the current study deep dives into the Waterfall Software Development Lifecycle of IT-Alfa by providing businesslike examples of activities carried out by IT-Alfa. This analysis focuses on the dynamics of project governance in terms of planning, monitoring and problem management for each of the activity’s typologies described in the project portfolio section. Since the reader acquired the knowledge of the banking IT traditional project management framework, the thesis’ project aims at structuring the hybrid application of Agile Project Management in such environment. First, the thesis provides a pure application of the Scrum Agile focusing on the benefits produced with respect to the Waterfall approach. However, a critical analysis shows the complexity related with the rigid application of the Agile Project Management in the aforementioned framework. Finally, the thesis describes an effective hybrid application of the Agile Project Management aimed at optimizing the traditional Project Management framework of IT-Alfa cutting off the strict constrains of Scrum Agile. To conclude, the final chapter is reserved for the achievement and discussion resulting from the development of the thesis, concluding with a paragraph about possible future developments on the topic.