Is agile scientifically proven

Question

Are there any scientific studies that have compared agile to other software development methodologies? I think agile is a nice way of working, but is there any scientific basis for it?

I'm looking for something like this, except this study only deals with TDD. Have there been studies about agile in general?

I'm asking this because I met a agile-zealot who claimed the agile way of working produces better software than all the other ways of working. He presented this as a fact, which I don't think it is.

Answer 1

No, it hasn't been confirmed scientifically or otherwise. To "prove" that, you'd have to do one of two things:

To show that it is valid from an analytical standpoint.
To demonstrate that it works in practise and then draw conclusions about its validity.
Because we're working with humans rather than simple systems, an analytical approach isn't possible. Teams and organisations cannot be formalised.

On the other hand, empirical research have been carried out, but the results are inconclusive. In his book Software Creativity 2.0, for example, Robert Glass presents some intriguing findings.

So, no, agile hasn't been proven. That's not even close. :-)