Toward an Understanding of Contextual Factors in Software Development

University Of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE

Investigators

Abstract

Proposal CCR-9988540 Henninger, Scott R. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Toward an Understanding of Contextual Factors in Software Development With the rise of software architectures, frameworks, component-based software engineering, design patterns, and other software development methodologies, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the context in which different software development methods and techniques are most effective. This research will seek to provide a theoretical framework for understanding the contextual and domain-based factors that mediate between success and failure for different software development contexts. Particular emphasis will be placed on tools and techniques that allow organizations to systematically accumulate and improve knowledge of effective software development practices within an organizational context. Methods for empirical observation based on ethnomethodology and activity theory will be developed to establish and validate a scientific basis for understanding critical success and failure factors. Results of this research will be used to 1) Develop methods for scientific inquiry that will lead to engineering disciplines for software development based on domain and context analysis, 2) Better understand the knowledge-intensive nature of software development activities and how past experiences can be used as the basis for improvement, and 3) Development of methodologies that integrate modern, component and framework-based techniques, with contextual factors that match application problems to specific techniques with the highest probability of success.