Topic: Navigating Agile Software Development in Hybrid Work Environment
University: LUT
Who Am I?
Hi, I’m Fateme Broomandi, and I am excited to begin my PhD journey in January 2025 at LUT University, focusing on how agile software development can thrive in hybrid work environments, blending flexibility with productivity. Originally from Iran, I’m now based in Lahti, Finland, where I’ve studied Digital Systems and Service Development at LUT University since September 2023. I’m currently working on my master’s thesis and will soon complete my degree in software engineering. Both my Master’s thesis and PhD research are dedicated to understanding the dynamics of hybrid work in agile software development. I am fortunate to be supervised by Professor Maria Paasivaara , with Post-doctoral Researcher Iflaah Salman as my second supervisor,

I hold another master’s degree in information technology engineering from Tehran, Iran. My professional background in IT audit and compliance has given me extensive experience in optimizing processes and improving IT service management. I approach problem-solving with a holistic and systematic view, especially in interdisciplinary areas, where integrating knowledge across fields leads to innovative solutions.
When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy staying active, reading books, taking long walks, spending time outdoors, and continuously learning through new challenges.
What Is My Research About?
My research focuses on hybrid work in large-scale agile software development and how it can be adapted to meet the evolving needs of companies and software professionals. Specifically, I’m investigating how large-scale agile methodologies can be optimized for a hybrid work environment, where teams work both remotely and in the office.

This research explores how companies can adjust their agile processes to maintain productivity, team cohesion, and individual well-being. I will conduct case studies across several companies to understand how hybrid work impacts employees’ sense of belonging, job satisfaction, and overall performance. The goal is to develop practical guidelines for enhancing collaboration and productivity in hybrid agile environments while fostering a strong sense of community.
Why Is This Research Important?

As hybrid work becomes the norm, especially post-pandemic, companies face new challenges in maintaining productivity, team cohesion, and well-being, particularly in large-scale agile software development environments. Agile development traditionally thrives on face-to-face collaboration, and hybrid work disrupts this dynamic.
This research is critical because it addresses the gap in understanding how agile practices can be adapted to hybrid work settings for the long term. Insights from the pandemic often focused on emergency work-from-home strategies, not sustainable hybrid models. My research will provide valuable insights into how hybrid work influences team dynamics, productivity, and individual well-being, helping companies retain talent and maintain performance in a flexible working world.
What Will This Research Contribute?
This research aims to provide evidence-based solutions and recommendations for large-scale companies on how to effectively organize agile software development in hybrid work environments. In the post-pandemic era, where hybrid work models have become the norm, many companies struggle with adapting their agile practices to this new reality. This study will seek to determine the optimal balance between remote and in-office work, specifying which tasks are better suited for each environment and how agile practices should be restructured in hybrid settings.
Additionally, the research will examine the broader impacts of hybrid work on productivity, employee well-being, sense of belonging, and the way individuals perceive their roles within the company. By addressing these critical areas, this research will offer practical guidance to help organizations maintain efficiency, foster a positive work culture, and support their employees in a hybrid agile environment.

How Will I Conduct This Research?
My research will use a multiple case study approach, focusing on companies such as Ericsson, Kempower, and Solita, which operate in large-scale agile software development and hybrid work environments. Data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, surveys, workshops, and pilot implementations.
Interviews will help explore how these companies adapt their agile practices, while surveys will gather broader insights to validate findings. Workshops will be conducted to co-develop practical solutions with company representatives, and pilot implementations will test these solutions in real-world settings.
The data will be analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative insights and statistical methods for quantitative survey results. Cross-case comparisons will identify common trends and unique strategies across the companies. This research will contribute actionable strategies for optimizing agile processes while enhancing employee well-being in hybrid work environments.
This Gantt chart provides an overview of the major tasks and milestones for my PhD research, spanning 3 years. Key activities include interviews, surveys, workshops, data analysis, pilot implementations, and the final dissertation.

Contact info:fateme.broomandi@lut.fi
www.linkedin.com/in/fateme-broomandi
Last update: 2024.10.15