Abstract
The rapid shift to hybrid work challenges Agile software development teams, because agile methodologies were originally designed for co-located environments. It is unclear whether the critical success factors (CSFs) identified in the existing agile literature are still relevant and how their interdependencies manifest in hybrid working environments.This study re-examines CSFs for agile projects in hybrid settings and models their hierarchical interdependencies. We used a mixed-method approach, first surveying industry practitioners to re-examine 36 established CSFs. Subsequently, Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) was used with an expert panel to construct a hierarchical model of the interdependencies of these factors. The model was then analyzed using MICMAC (Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliquée á un Classement) to classify the factors by importance. The survey confirmed the relevance of the 36 traditional CSFs, with no new factors suggested for the hybrid settings. The ISM analysis produced a seventeen-level hierarchy, showing that success is built progressively from foundational project and technical factors to team and organizational factors. MICMAC analysis identified a small set of foundational ‘driver’ factors critical for agile success in hybrid settings. The findings from this study demonstrate that agile success in hybrid settings is an interconnected system rather than a simple checklist. By establishing a hierarchical structure, this research highlights the necessity of prioritizing foundational ‘driver’ factors, which provide the leverage required for systemic improvement rather than focusing on outcome-level factors in isolation. Our framework supports organizations in making more informed, data-driven decisions when adapting agile methodologies to modern hybrid workplaces.