CASE STUDIES IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 1
Extreme Programming
Mani Ambalan
I. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
Problem: Is extreme programming an effective approach to the project? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of the extreme programming model in the project?
Solution: Use the Agile methodology whereas it focuses on people and collaboration within the
team. It helps them to improve productivity and s a great methodology for creative and software
projects, where new ideas and innovations can be quickly adapted into the existing framework.
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Efusion Inc. was a Portland-based eCommerce company. In the eCommerce business, one
of the restrictions that online consumers used to face was a break in communication with the online
store or company. This enforced discontinuity had been an important cause for shopping cart
abandonment. PushToTalk TM was a new communication paradigm, where online consumers
could talk with a customer service representative of an eCommerce portal. Thus, Luis Machuca,
the COO of eFusion, looked at this overwhelming innovation as the “defining signature” for the
company. Changes in the underlying market conditions caused the product to go through a series
of ownership and management changes – from eFusion, Inc. to ITXC Corp to strata, Inc. During
the early stages of its evolution, early adopters and potential customers were companies that were
“born online”. The prevailing project structure was unique; it was functional within the
organization and matrix structure within the company. The “intel development culture” was
prevalent; this, in combination with the fact that there was significant product learning that was
still needed, resulting in a space shuttle methodology and solution—a highly over-engineered
product design approach was adopted. However, they encountered challenges that includes: (1)
rapid change in the market needs and conditions; (2) layoffs during the midway of the project; (3)
low user adaptation of the software; (4) project was unorganized in the usual way; (5)
Organizational problems like relocation, adapting to a new paradigm, change of roles, change of
management members, and so on. To resolve the problem, it was suggested to use the Agile
methodology which focuses on people and collaboration within the team. It helps them to improve
productivity while allowing them to boost creativity and create unique solutions. Also, Agile is a
great methodology for creative and software projects, where new ideas and innovations can be
quickly adapted into the existing framework.
III. BRIEF HISTORY
Efusion Inc. was a Portland-based eCommerce company. In the eCommerce business, one
of the limitations that online consumers used to face was a discontinuity in communication with
the online store or company. This enforced discontinuity had been a significant cause for shopping
cart abandonment. Push to Talk TM, a Voice over IP (VoIP) – based product innovation from
eFusion called EAG (eFusion Application Gateway). PushToTalk TM was a new communication
Extreme Programming
Mani Ambalan
I. PROBLEM AND SOLUTION
Problem: Is extreme programming an effective approach to the project? What are the advantages
and disadvantages of the extreme programming model in the project?
Solution: Use the Agile methodology whereas it focuses on people and collaboration within the
team. It helps them to improve productivity and s a great methodology for creative and software
projects, where new ideas and innovations can be quickly adapted into the existing framework.
II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Efusion Inc. was a Portland-based eCommerce company. In the eCommerce business, one
of the restrictions that online consumers used to face was a break in communication with the online
store or company. This enforced discontinuity had been an important cause for shopping cart
abandonment. PushToTalk TM was a new communication paradigm, where online consumers
could talk with a customer service representative of an eCommerce portal. Thus, Luis Machuca,
the COO of eFusion, looked at this overwhelming innovation as the “defining signature” for the
company. Changes in the underlying market conditions caused the product to go through a series
of ownership and management changes – from eFusion, Inc. to ITXC Corp to strata, Inc. During
the early stages of its evolution, early adopters and potential customers were companies that were
“born online”. The prevailing project structure was unique; it was functional within the
organization and matrix structure within the company. The “intel development culture” was
prevalent; this, in combination with the fact that there was significant product learning that was
still needed, resulting in a space shuttle methodology and solution—a highly over-engineered
product design approach was adopted. However, they encountered challenges that includes: (1)
rapid change in the market needs and conditions; (2) layoffs during the midway of the project; (3)
low user adaptation of the software; (4) project was unorganized in the usual way; (5)
Organizational problems like relocation, adapting to a new paradigm, change of roles, change of
management members, and so on. To resolve the problem, it was suggested to use the Agile
methodology which focuses on people and collaboration within the team. It helps them to improve
productivity while allowing them to boost creativity and create unique solutions. Also, Agile is a
great methodology for creative and software projects, where new ideas and innovations can be
quickly adapted into the existing framework.
III. BRIEF HISTORY
Efusion Inc. was a Portland-based eCommerce company. In the eCommerce business, one
of the limitations that online consumers used to face was a discontinuity in communication with
the online store or company. This enforced discontinuity had been a significant cause for shopping
cart abandonment. Push to Talk TM, a Voice over IP (VoIP) – based product innovation from
eFusion called EAG (eFusion Application Gateway). PushToTalk TM was a new communication
