This paper aims to address the challenges of agile information technology (IT) development in the public procurement environment, highlight the need for alignment between the procurement process and agile IT development approach, and generate an agile procurement model for highly complex IT projects.
Literature review on public procurement and agile IT methods provided a theoretical background for the development of the model. The discussion is based on four agile IT public procurement projects.
This study identifies the extent of misalignment between public procurement and agile IT development by distinguishing different agile stages for agencies pursuing agile IT success. The findings extend existing procurement models and provide insights for procurement agencies struggling with IT projects.
The multi-case method facilitates a close look into each of the agile IT projects and a cross-case analysis for theoretical and practical insights. Investigation on a larger scale is necessary for further validation and generalization.
The proposed framework helps public procurement identify where they are in their agile procurement journey and offers practical suggestions for them in achieving IT procurement success.
The proposed model helps public agencies to achieve IT success that can lead to huge federal budget savings, better use of taxpayer money, timely public policy implementation, and restored public confidence in the government.
This paper expands procurement maturity models by emphasizing dimensions of agile procurement in handling IT complexity. It draws public agencies’ attention to their own procurement processes and highlights the necessary alignment between the procurement process and IT development approach.
