Critical Factors Influencing the Adoption of Basic and Scaled Agile Methods: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of 44 primary studies to critically investigate the factors influencing the adoption of six major Agile methods, segmented into Basic (XP, Scrum, Kanban) and Scaled (SAFe, DAD, LeSS) frameworks. The analysis identifies key success factors (nine for Basic, eight for Scaled) and corresponding barriers. Findings confirm that top management support, effective communication, and training are fundamental enablers across both levels. Crucially, the study provides a comparative synthesis that distinguishes their focus: Basic Agile mitigates internal team process risks, while Scaled Agile addresses systemic coordination and enterprise governance challenges. Furthermore, we map the limitations and strengths of these methods onto Software Project Risk Quadrants, demonstrating that scaling is necessary to manage Execution and Environmental Risks effectively. This research offers crucial theoretical insights for balancing flexibility and structure in complex Agile transformations.