Agile Methods 1 Running head: AGILE METHODS FOR DEVELOPING INTERNET PRODUCTS Agile Methods for Developing Internet Products, Customer Satisfaction, and Firm Performance

The purpose of this document is to serve as a research proposal to recommend a study to examine the effects of using agile methods to develop Internet products on customer satisfaction and firm performance. Agile methods are an approach to developing Internet software, which are characterized by early customer involvement, flexible processes, iterative releases, and self organizing teams. Agile methods are posited as the best approach for developing Internet products as opposed to traditional methods characterized by formal project plans, rigid processes, voluminous documentation, and firm, fixed-price requirements. A survey of 400 managers is suggested to test the hypotheses that the use of agile methods for developing Internet products is linked to scholarly models of customer satisfaction (e.g., technology acceptance, web satisfaction, and online trust) and firm performance. The results of this study may help managers better understand the business effects of using agile methods to develop Internet products