Application of agile methods in traditional logistics companies and logistics startups : results from a German Delphi Study

Abstract

To meet changing requirements and rising product complexity, a growing number of traditional logistics companies and logistics startups are increasing their agility through the use of progressively agile methods. The objective of the Delphi Study is to assess how traditional logistics companies and logistics startups use agile methods in their IT departments, what benefits they realise and what challenges they face introducing and using agile methods. A modified Delphi Study was conducted over three complementary rounds as an iterative expert judgment process. After the analysis of the results, insights were gained on the following points covering traditional logistics companies and logistics startups: (a) used agile methods and practices, (b) perceived benefits that these methods offer and (c) challenges of applying these methods. The results of the Delphi Study show that traditional logistics companies as well as logistics startups chose similar agile methods and practices. Both company types aim to realise mainly the same benefits but face different challenges regarding the introduction of agile methods. The Delphi Study’s originality lies in its contribution to the largely unexplored area of agility in the field of logistics.