Authors:
Diana Kirk
1
and
Stephen G. MacDonell
2
Affiliations:
1
Technology Academy, EDENZ Colleges, 85 Airedale Street, Auckland 1010 and New Zealand
;
2
Software Engineering Laboratory (SERL), AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland 1142 and New Zealand
Keyword(s):
Software Context, Model Building, Exploratory Study.
Related
Ontology
Subjects/Areas/Topics:
Applications
;
Enterprise Information Systems
;
Information Systems Analysis and Specification
;
Operational Research
;
Project Management
Abstract:
In the domain of software engineering, our efforts as researchers to advise industry on which software practices might be applied most effectively are limited by our lack of evidence based information about the relationships between context and practice efficacy. In order to accumulate such evidence, a model for context is required. We are in the exploratory stage of evolving a model for context for situated software practices. In this paper, we overview the evolution of our proposed model. Our analysis has exposed a lack of clarity in the meanings of terms reported in the literature. Our base model dimensions are People, Place, Product and Process. Our contributions are a deepening of our understanding of how to scope contextual factors when considering software initiatives and the proposal of an initial theoretical construct for context. Study limitations relate to a possible subjectivity in the analysis and a restricted evaluation base. In the next stage in the research, we will c
ollaborate with academics and practitioners to formally refine the model.
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