2019 EDSIG Proceedings - Abstract Presentation

Using Mendix for Learning Agile in a Graduate Information Systems Project Management Course

Melinda Korzaan
Middle Tennessee State University

Michael Erskine
Middle Tennessee State University

Abstract
Demand for agile in managing projects is on the rise and with reports that the use of agile can result in delivering projects five times faster than with traditional methods (Milway, 2011), this demand will likely only continue to increase. Many organizations are currently implementing agile to some degree within their project management practices. Based upon the PMI's 9th Global Project Management Survey, agile project management is used sometimes, often, or always in 71% of the organizations surveyed (Saisa et al., 2019). Therefore, a significant need exists for agile skills in the workplace. Researchers indicate that the “agile project management framework is widely used in industry and therefore, ought to be part of the university curriculums" (Saisa et al., 2019, p. 8). As agile project management has become more prevalent in industry, there is a need for higher education to respond by providing more learning opportunities for students to develop agile knowledge and skills. The need to meet this educational demand has motivated innovative technologies and methods for teaching agile. One such tool is Mendix, a low-code application development platform that is built around the agile framework. Mendix includes interactive training modules that teach an applied approach of agile tools and techniques in an application development environment. Universities are beginning to incorporate Mendix into their Information Systems courses, including project management courses (Mew & Field, 2018). The purpose of this research is to share results from an initial study investigating the efficacy of using Mendix as a platform for learning agile in a graduate-level Information Systems project management class. Students were asked to complete the online training and take a Mendix certification exam. In addition, one pilot group of three students completed three 1-week sprints of an application development project in Mendix. This course was offered in an accelerated 7-week format and covered a variety of general project management topics. The Mendix training was used to cover the topic of agile. Students completed a survey at the end of the semester regarding their perceptions of the efficacy and ease of use of the training along with their level of motivation and enjoyment with using Mendix. Students were also asked about their perceived knowledge of specific agile concepts and practices. The class size was 18 students and all students completed the Mendix training, certification exam, and filled out the survey. Results from the survey data are being analyzed will be presented along with a general discussion of the pilot group’s experience with the application development project. The benefits and challenges of incorporating Mendix within the project management course will be discussed and suggestions are welcome for improving this study as well as recommendations for future research.

References:
Mew, L. & Field, D. (2018) A case study on using the Mendix low code platform to support a project management course. 2018 Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference Norfolk, VA
Milway., J. (2011) Time to ride the agile wave. Database and Network Journal, 41(6) pp.5-6.
Saisa, M., Tiura, K., & Matikainen, R. (2019) Agile project management in university-industry collaboration projects. International Journal of Information Technology Project Management 10(2) pp. 8-15.

Recommended Citation: Korzaan, M., Erskine, M., (2019). Using Mendix for Learning Agile in a Graduate Information Systems Project Management Course. Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference, (2019) n.5009, Cleveland, Ohio