Agile Requirements Engineering in a Distributed Environment: Experiences from the Software Industry during Unprecedented Global Challenges

Unprecedented global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a widespread transition to Work-From-Home (WFH) arrangements for project teams, posing significant challenges in conveying requirements within agile Requirements Engineering (RE). While numerous studies have examined the impact of transitioning work routines during the pandemic, limited research exists on the specific challenges of agile RE operating within the WFH context. Given the pervasive shift in the software development ecosystem worldwide, where WFH is projected to persist even in the post-COVID era, it is imperative to ascertain the challenges associated with WFH-based agile RE. During the pandemic, we collaborated with startups to conduct an industry-academia project. By adopting the methodology of action research, this study comprehensively analyzed agile RE practices and reported the key challenges encountered within the WFH context. To mitigate these challenges, several collaborative RE techniques were employed in three intervention cycles. Interviews were conducted to thoroughly analyze the results. This study also provides insights into collaborative RE techniques and valuable lessons learned. Considering the increasing prevalence of WFH as a working mode in the post-pandemic era, this study equips the community with practical strategies to navigate agile RE challenges and better prepare for unprecedented challenges in the future.