University of Toronto Research Suggests Agile Methods Reduce Burnout

Released: September 28, 2023

Researchers from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management have published findings from a survey exploring the relationship between project delivery methods and project manager burnout rates.

Through an online questionnaire of over 900 IT project managers with experience leading both agile and traditional "waterfall" style projects, the study assessed levels of stress, exhaustion and overall burnout symptoms experienced. Participants were also asked about the extent of autonomy, feedback and support experienced on different project types.

Statistical analysis found project managers reporting high usage of agile methods like scrum and kanban on recent initiatives demonstrated meaningfully lower levels of burnout. Those using agile approaches on 75% or more of their work in the past year displayed stress and exhaustion scores that were 32% below those relying heavily on traditional waterfall models.

Follow up questions suggested increased autonomy over decision making, more frequent performance feedback cycles, and strengthened peer support networks contributed to reduced burnout when using agile. Managers cited greater control over their work alongside built-in mechanisms for adjusting course as projects evolve as reducing strains of inflexible sequential processes.

The researchers note burnout has risen as a challenge across many professional sectors in recent times. As projects growing increasingly complex, these findings offer evidence agile values like adaptation, transparency and collaboration strengthen resilience against the distress common to high-pressure project roles.

With traditional project management often criticised for a lack of attention to human factors, these insights indicate agile helps empower and sustain those delivering transformations. For organizations aiming to support wellbeing as well as outcomes, the research advises consideration of scaled agile adoption wherever suitable within the portfolio.