Agile Methodologies as Catalysts for Team Performance in Pakistan’s Large-Scale Construction Projects: Moderating Effects of Project Complexity, Communication Efficacy, and Delivery Time

Abstract

Agile project-management frameworks are migrating rapidly from software into capital-intensive industries, yet empirical knowledge of their efficacy in emerging-economy construction remains fragmented. This mixed-methods systematic review synthesizes 58 high-quality studies published between 2010 and 2025, augmented by Pakistan-specific case evidence, to examine how Scrum, Kanban and Lean–agile hybrids influence team performance on large-scale construction projects. Narrative thematic synthesis—supported by vote-count and realist logic—identifies three catalytic mechanisms: (1) iterative cadence that exposes risk early and reduces average rework by 18 percent; (2) visual flow controls that raise communication density by 32 percent; and (3) cross-functional co-location that cuts hand-off delays by 37 percent. Moderation analysis shows that benefits amplify with project complexity and communication richness but attenuate under rigid supply chains and high power-distance cultures typical of South Asia. Emerging extensions; AI-augmented backlog prioritization, BIM-enabled digital-twin sprints and sustainability-embedded carbon backlogs promise further gains yet raise transparency and governance challenges. The review proposes a hybrid adoption roadmap combining SAFe portfolio cadences with Kanban-driven site logistics to fit Pakistan’s contractual and cultural constraints. Future work should deploy longitudinal, multi-project datasets and test AI-supported agile telemetry against traditional earned-value controls to clarify causal pathways and cost–benefit profiles.