Towards a 5c theory of communication for scrum-based distributed projects

Scrum-based distributed projects face numerous challenges and failures due geographical, dispersed, times and cultural differences. To improve the success of such software development projects, there is a need to identify factors crucial to achieving the required level of communication between the distributed stakeholders. In this paper, we reviewed the issues and challenges associated with communication in scrum-based distributed projects and explored factors that could improve communication for scrum-based distributed projects. A total number of 25 interviews were conducted in various geographical regions which helped to identify five major factors, i.e. competency, correlation, comprehension, contentment and commitment, crucial to the success of scrum-based distributed projects. Our identification of these factors presents a research and practice approach to developing a theory of communication that would help project managers, scrum masters and practitioners to improve practices while undertaking scrum-based distributed projects.