Helen Sharp
580 California St., Suite 400
San Francisco, CA, 94104
Software engineering: community and culture
2000, IEEE Software
https://doi.org/10.1109/52.819967
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Abstract
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The paper discusses the interplay of human factors and culture within software engineering, arguing that the discipline is deeply influenced by its social and cultural contexts. It highlights the necessity for software engineers to understand their community's implicit values and beliefs and encourages the integration of social science methodologies, like discourse analysis and ethnography, to enrich the field. The authors contend that this cross-pollination of ideas can lead to improved practices and a more nuanced comprehension of software engineering as a dynamic social endeavor.
Key takeawaysAI
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- Software engineering is deeply influenced by its cultural and social environment, transcending organizational boundaries.
- The analysis utilizes ethnography and discourse analysis to explore the nuanced culture of software engineering.
- Findings reveal a prevalent community culture, where individual expertise often overshadows empirical evidence in decision-making.
- Software quality management systems (SQMS) face significant acceptance challenges due to a lack of evidence-based practices.
- Cross-pollination of social science techniques offers new insights for improving software engineering practices.
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