Modeling Coordination in Software Construction: An Analytical Approach.

Author List: Koushik, Murlidhar V.; Mookerjee, Vijay S.;
Information Systems Research, 1995, Volume 6, Issue 3, Page 220-254.
Software development projects are typically team efforts, wherein groups of specialists work toward the common goal of building a software system. The individual efforts of team members need to be coordinated to ensure product quality and effectiveness of the team. In this paper we model the process of coordination in the construction phase of incrementally developed, modular software systems. The analytical model proposed here supports macro-level decisions regarding the development team size and the coordination policy, based upon micro-level interactions between the modules in a system. The objective in this model is to minimize the effort spent on coordination activities subject to the requirement that the system must be completed within a specified period. Results from the model are used to examine coordination related trade-offs. We show that: (1) more complex systems need a higher level of coordination than simpler ones, (2) if the time available for construction reduces, it is optimal to reduce the level of coordination, and (3) marginal productive output is a diminishing function of team size. The sensitivity of the analytical model with respect to its assumptions is studied by constructing a set of simulation experiments where these assumptions are relaxed. The results of these experiments provide support in establishing the robustness of the analytical model.
Keywords: Coordination policy; Economic model; Software construction; Team size; Tradeoffs
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#97 0.161 set approach algorithm optimal used develop results use simulation experiments algorithms demonstrate proposed optimization present analytical distribution selection number existing
#256 0.137 coordination mechanisms work contingencies boundaries temporal coordinating vertical associated activities different coordinate suggests dispersed coordinated horizontal relative demand spatial hours
#191 0.132 model models process analysis paper management support used environment decision provides based develop use using help literature mathematical presented formulation
#96 0.095 errors error construction testing spreadsheet recovery phase spreadsheets number failures inspection better studies modules rate replicated detection correction optimal discovering
#193 0.075 time use size second appears form larger benefits combined studies reasons selected underlying appear various significantly result include make attention
#291 0.065 local global link complex view links particularly need thought number supports efforts difficult previously linked achieving simple poor individual rise
#87 0.057 team teams virtual members communication distributed performance global role task cognition develop technology involved time individual's affects project geographically individuals
#232 0.055 software development product functionality period upgrade sampling examines extent suggests factors considered useful uncertainty previous called complementarities greater cost present