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Effective coordination in the software process - historical perspectives and future directions

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Abstract

A critical factor in delivering quality software products is the quality of the software process. Software development is characterized by its multi-party activity (MPA), and a major challenge in managing the software process is the coordination of its constituent activities, resources and people. In this paper, we review approaches and techniques for managing multi-party activity in the software process in terms of their originating domain and the coordination features they address. Malone and Crowston's framework of coordination dependencies is adopted to consider common dependencies between activities and to classify the different approaches that have been taken to their management in software engineering. Some observations are made regarding strategies for achieving effective coordination and on areas for further investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Ulster Newtownabbey Co, Antrim, Northern Ireland UK

    Ir McChesney

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  1. Ir McChesney
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McChesney, I. Effective coordination in the software process - historical perspectives and future directions. Software Quality Journal 6, 235–246 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018568220273

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