# Best Practices Evidenced for Software Development Based on DevOps and Scrum: A Literature Review
## 3 Results
### What Factors Are Fundamental to Success in Implementing Scrum?  
To answer this question, twenty-one documents were identified, of which two were added via snowball [7; 12]. According to the literature, Table 3 lists the key factors of successful Scrum implementation, identifying the most recurrent in this relationship.  
The findings allow us to identify five practices as critical factors for successfully implementing Scrum. Next, they are listed in the order most referenced in the literature.  
1. **Actively involve the stakeholders**. This factor, cited in 61.9% of the analyzed studies, emphasizes the critical role of engaging stakeholders throughout the project. It is highlighted as essential for aligning project objectives with stakeholder expectations and ensuring that deliverables meet their requirements. Key studies, including those by the authors of [5; 11; 16; 17; 18; 20; 21; 22; 25; 26; 28; 29; 30], consistently recognize stakeholder involvement as a cornerstone of project success;
2. **Early and continuous feedback**. Cited in 61.9% of the papers analyzed, this factor underscores the importance of providing timely and ongoing feedback throughout the project lifecycle. It ensures that adjustments can be made promptly, reducing risks and enhancing the quality of deliverables. Studies such as those  
Figure 3: The number of papers per year found in the literature review.  
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by [5; 14; 15; 16; 17; 18; 20; 21; 22; 23; 26; 29; 30] highlight this practice as fundamental for aligning project outcomes with evolving requirements and stakeholder expectations;
3. **Transparent communication channel**. Cited in 52.4% of the papers analyzed, this factor emphasizes the importance of maintaining clear, open, and effective communication throughout the project. Transparent communication ensures that all team members and stakeholders are aligned, minimizing misunderstandings and facilitating prompt decision-making. Key studies by the authors of [5; 11; 14; 16; 17; 18; 21; 24; 25; 27; 28] consistently highlight transparent communication as a critical component for project success;
4. **Constant quality measurement or concurrent testing**. Cited in 38.1% of the analyzed papers, this factor highlights the critical role of continuous quality measurement and testing throughout the project. By integrating testing into every phase, teams can identify and address issues early, ensuring that the final product meets the required standards. Studies by the authors of [5; 11; 16; 17; 21; 22; 29; 30] emphasize the value of ongoing quality assessment and testing in maintaining high standards and reducing defects;
5. **Delivering high-quality outputs**. A total of 38.1% of the papers emphasize the importance of consistently delivering high-quality outputs throughout the project lifecycle. Achieving quality deliverables ensures that the project meets stakeholder expectations, enhances customer satisfaction, and reduces the requirement for rework. Key studies by the authors of [11; 15; 18; 19; 21; 22; 23; 24] consistently highlight the central role of quality in successful project execution and delivery.  
Although they are not among the top five practices identified in the review, it is essential to remark that incremental, iterative development and shorter delivery cycles are also considered successful factors. However, due to the focus of the papers, not all of them mention this. Additionally, Table 3 indicates that, although there is documentation on the experiences of some companies in which various elements that guarantee success have been measured, the industry does not have a transparent model of what practices to use according to the specific characterization of companies and their cultural conditions, which turns this process into a trial-and-error model that can be costly while the ideal configuration of practices to implement is determined.