Complementary Technology Traces in Software Practice: A Retrospective Reflection over Sixteen Years of Evolution at Ericsson

2021 | European Journal of Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Mathiassen, Lars; Sandberg, Anna

Abstract: To advance knowledge about evolution of practices within a software organisation ... Expand

Abstract: To advance knowledge about evolution of practices within a software organisation, we offer a retrospective reflection based on several years of research into a software unit at Ericsson AB. Covering 16 years of evolution, we developed multiple publications from continuously expanding sources of software technology implementation data. While these publications report from specific junctures of software practice evolution at the unit, our retrospective reflection allows us to consider the impacts of the unit’s investments into two technology paradigms over the sixteen-year period: first into CMM-RUP with a focus on discipline and structured practices and years later into Agile-Lean with a focus on flexibility and responsive practices. Hence, we adopt retrospective reflection to investigate how imprints from the two paradigms, despite considerable timespan between the related technology implementations, eventually complemented each other in the unit’s software practices. Because one paradigm focuses on discipline and structured practices and the other on flexibility and responsive practices, our retrospective reflections consider how the two paradigms together impacted the software unit’s ambidextrous capability. As a result, we advance the idea that as software organisations over time invest in complementary technology paradigms they leave important technology traces with sustainable impacts on their software practices. Collapse

Topics: systems implementation systems development project management agile software development IT manager

Methods: qualitative interview triangulation design methodology longitudinal research literature study

Theories: ambidexterity theory

Successful Mobile Application Development: Towards a Taxonomy of Domain-Specific Process Models and Methodologies

2019 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Werth, Oliver; Guhr, Nadine; Breitner, Michael H

Abstract: Mobile applications and mobile application development issues receive an increas ... Expand

Abstract: Mobile applications and mobile application development issues receive an increasing attention for practitioners and academics. The development of mobile applications is connected with a number of domain-specific issues and challenges (e.g., fulfilment of customer requirements or the prevention of high development costs). Consequently, the decision of the most effective process model to develop a mobile application plays a crucial role for software and mobile application development teams. With the help of a structured taxonomy-building methodology, we contribute to the extant literature by creating and presenting a taxonomy for process models and methodologies in software engineering and the mobile application development domain. The taxonomy enrich the existing knowledge base and can help mobile application developers to choose the most suitable process model or methodology. Based on our examination, our results indicate new directions for mobile application research and implications for mobile application development. Collapse

Topics: systems development mobile application system development method user requirement knowledge base

Methods: business process modeling design methodology design artifact design science theoretical contribution

Web 2.0 and folksonomies in a library context

2011 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Anfinnsen, Svein; Ghinea, Gheorghita; de Cesare, Sergio

Abstract: Libraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly importan ... Expand

Abstract: Libraries have a societal purpose and this role has become increasingly important as new technologies enable organizations to support, enable and enhance the participation of users in assuming an active role in the creation and communication of information. Folksonomies, a Web 2.0 technology, represent such an example. Folksonomies result from individuals freely tagging resources available to them on a computer network. In a library environment folksonomies have the potential of overcoming certain limitations of traditional classification systems such as the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Typical limitations of this type of classification systems include, for example, the rigidity of the underlying taxonomical structures and the difficulty of introducing change in the categories. Folksonomies represent a supporting technology to existing classification systems helping to describe library resources more flexibly, dynamically and openly. As a review of the current literature shows, the adoption of folksonomies in libraries is novel and limited research has been carried out in the area. This paper presents research into the adoption of folksonomies for a University library. A Web 2.0 system was developed, based on the requirements collected from library stakeholders, and integrated with the existing library computer system. An evaluation of the work was carried out in the form of a survey in order to understand the possible reactions of users to folksonomies as well as the effects on their behavior. The broad conclusion of this work is that folksonomies seem to have a beneficial effect on users’ involvement as active library participants as well as encourage users to browse the catalogue in more depth. Collapse

Topics: web 2.0 social bookmark cloud computing requirements elicitation JavaScript

Methods: survey parametric test Student's t-test ANOVA one-way ANOVA

Controls in Flexible Software Development

2009 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 19

Authors: Harris, Michael L; Hevner, Alan R; Collins, Rosann Webb; Zhang, Dongsong; Adipat, Boonlit; Mowafi, Yaser

Abstract: Control and flexibility may appear an unlikely pair. However, we propose that ef ... Expand

Abstract: Control and flexibility may appear an unlikely pair. However, we propose that effective flexible software development processes must still provide clear control mechanisms to manage the progress and quality of the resulting software products. This paper presents a conceptual study to understand the types of control found in flexible software development processes, termed controlled-flexible approaches. Control theory is used as a lens to study the control mechanisms found in plan-driven and flexible processes. We extend current thinking to include emergent outcome controls and clan controls for team coordination in our taxonomy of control mechanisms. Several popular flexible processes are analyzed for control mechanisms. We conclude with a brief discussion of future research directions. Collapse

Topics: systems development system development method extreme programming Rational Unified Process agile software development

Methods: survey design methodology focus group design artifact theory development

Theories: control theory

Traceability-based knowledge integration in group decision and negotiation activities

2007 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Mohan, Kannan; Ramesh, Balasubramaniam

Abstract: Group decision and negotiation (GDN) in distributed collaborative environments i ... Expand

Abstract: Group decision and negotiation (GDN) in distributed collaborative environments involves the acquisition and use of extensive knowledge. Knowledge elements that play a critical role in guiding GDN activities are distributed across different work environments that are not seamlessly integrated with each other. We argue that integrating fragmented knowledge will improve the process of GDN in software development. In this paper, we present an approach to knowledge integration using traceability. Our approach comprises of: (a) a traceability framework that identifies the key knowledge elements that are to be integrated, and (b) a prototype system that supports the acquisition, integration, and use of knowledge elements represented by the traceability framework. We illustrate the usefulness of our approach with a case study in a software development organization. Collapse

Topics: systems development semantic network IT supported collaboration system support electronic mail

Methods: case study design artifact synthesis design methodology use case diagram

The many faces of architectural descriptions

2006 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 5

Authors: Greefhorst, Danny; Koning, Henk; Vliet, Hans van

Abstract: In recent years architecture has acquired recognition as playing a pivotal role ... Expand

Abstract: In recent years architecture has acquired recognition as playing a pivotal role in change processes. Despite this recognition, describing architecture has proven to be difficult. Architecture frameworks have been defined to address this problem. However, there are many of them, and together they leave us with seemingly contradicting terminology. What are the underlying forces that caused people to create so many different frameworks? What do these frameworks teach us about the essence of architecting? Where do I start to select or create a framework for my current project? With these questions in mind we set out to perform a comparison of existing architecture frameworks. We ended up with a deeper understanding of the function of a framework, and “discovered” nine fundamental dimensions that seem to underlie architectural thinking. These “base dimensions” can be used to clarify the meaning of individual architecture documents independent of the framework they originate from, and they can be helpful in defining new architecture frameworks or situational architecture descriptions. In this paper we also relate our findings to IEEE 1471, which is another important generalisation of existing frameworks. Collapse

Topics: Rational Unified Process Zachman framework system development method

Methods: design methodology survey

Mapping the UML to the Zachman Framework

2005 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Mrdalj, Stevan; Jovanovic, Vladan

Abstract: This article offers an overview of the Zachman Enterprise Architecture Framework ... Expand

Abstract: This article offers an overview of the Zachman Enterprise Architecture Framework (ZEAF) and examines how the Unified Modeling Language (UML) can be used in describing enterprise architecture. The ZEAF is a classification scheme that organizes descriptive representations into a matrix of six distinct stakeholder perspectives and six unique concerns or aspects yielding a normalized approach in which, as a rule, particular cell content cannot be found in more than one cell. This paper presents a comparative review of four approaches for mapping UML onto ZEAF, which despite the above rule, use the same diagram types differently. At first, this appeared to be a problem, but our analysis discovered that it is result of UML’s rich and divers notation. This paper also attempts to answer several questions related to these different mappings recognizing an opportunity to extend ZEAF into a multidimensional representation. Collapse

Topics: Zachman framework user requirement Rational Unified Process

Methods: design science unified modeling language cross sectional research design artifact literature study

Adopting the Knowledge Embedded in New Methods - The Challenge of Aligning Old and New Practices

2004 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Backlund, Per

Abstract: There are many reports on how Information Systems Development (ISD) methods are ... Expand

Abstract: There are many reports on how Information Systems Development (ISD) methods are adapted before they are used. The need to customise methods is explained by the variety of systems that are developed and the various situations in which information systems can be developed. This means that the development process knowledge embedded in an ISD method can be used in different ways in different situations. The study presented in this paper is a follow up of a study of how a widespread ISD method was adapted and introduced in an organisation. In this paper we focus on how the development method was actually used in a project. The paper extends an earlier model of analysis for characterising information systems development in terms of knowledge work. The model recognises four classes of knowledge work: routine, craft-like, professional, and creative knowledge work. We use that particular model to elaborate on how the various kinds of knowledge work presented interact in an actual development situation. The main contributions of the paper are the application of the analysis model on an empirical case and the extension of the analysis model to comprise the interactions between the different types of knowledge work. Collapse

Topics: knowledge work systems development system development method knowledge management use case modeling

Methods: design methodology case study qualitativ observational study field study cross sectional research

The Unified Modeling Language: An inquiry into current practices and user perceptions

2004 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Grossman, Martin; McCarthy, Richard; Aronson, Jay

Abstract: The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has become the de facto standard for systems ... Expand

Abstract: The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has become the de facto standard for systems development and has been promoted as a technology that will help solve some of the longstanding problems in the software industry. However, there is still little empirical evidence supporting the claim that UML is an effective approach to modeling software systems. Indeed, there is much anecdotal evidence suggesting the contrary, i.e. that UML is overly complex, inconsistent, incomplete and difficult to learn. This paper describes an investigation into the adoption and use of UML in the software development community. A web-based survey was conducted eliciting responses from users of UML throughout the world. Results indicate a wide diversity of opinion regarding UML, reflecting the relative immaturity of the technology as well as the controversy over its effectiveness. This paper discusses the results of the survey and charts the course for future research in UML usage. Collapse

Topics: systems development Rational Unified Process system development method IT workforce individual characteristic

Methods: design science unified modeling language survey design methodology survey design

Theories: theory of task technology fit

Theoretical Bases for Selecting Traceability Approaches to Support Software Development

2004 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Mohan, Kannan; Kumar, Nanda

Abstract: Traceability is the ability of stakeholders to describe and follow the life of a ... Expand

Abstract: Traceability is the ability of stakeholders to describe and follow the life of an artifact throughout the software development life cycle. Traceability is one of the most important quality attributes that are indicative of the maturity of software development organizations. While there has been extensive research focusing on the development of traceability models and support systems for different kinds of software development environments, there is a paucity of research that characterizes the tasks that need to be performed in implementing and using traceability. This research addresses a gap in this area by providing theoretical justifications for, and identifying key factors that dictate the choice of media based on the task characteristics. These prescriptions will help traceability tool developers in delivering traceability support that is tailored to specific tasks involved in different types of projects. Collapse

Topics: task characteristic usability social presence media richness task complexity

Methods: design methodology