METHODOLOGIES FOR DSS ANALYSIS AND DESIGN: A CONTINGENCY APPROACH TO THEIR APPLICATION

The analysts and design of systems for decision support typically has taken a single methodology approach, ignoring the fact that DSSs vary in their scope, complexity and purpose. This paper examines three primary approaches to DSS analysis and design in order to begin formalizing a consistent framework for the selection of a DSS development methodology. The contingency framework emphasizes the conditions under which the various methodologies are appropriate and likely to be effective, and provides guidelines for matching decision situations with development approaches

Managing Requirements Engineering Risks: an Analysis and Synthesis of the Literature

Requirements engineering is recognized as a key discipline in developing business software. Practitioners are, however, facing a steady stream of new techniques and an increasingly differentiated portfolio of requirements engineering risks. The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that links the available repertoire of techniques to the situations in which practitioners find themselves. To this end, the paper reviews the software development and requirements engineering literature to understand the risks that characterize requirement engineering situations, to classify available techniques to resolve these risks, and to identify key principles by which tactics can be applied to resolve requirements risks. The paper synthesizes the findings from the analysis into a contingency model for managing requirements engineering risks. The model sets the scene for future research and practitioners can use it to navigate the requirements engineering landscape

An Empirical Examination of an Agile Contingent Project/Method Fit Model

While research has demonstrated positive productivity and quality gains from using agile software development methods (SDMs), some experts argue that no single SDM suits every project context. We lack empirical evidence about the project contextual factors that influence when one should use these methods. Research suggests several factors to explain agile method appropriateness; however, generalizable empirical evidence supporting these suggestions is weak. To address this need, we used contingency theory and the information processing model to develop the agile contingent project/method fit model. Subsequently, we used the model to analyze the influence of project contextual factors and agile practices on software development professionals’ perceptions regarding agile SDM appropriateness. We tested the model using survey data collected from 122 systems development professionals who provided information regarding: 1) contextual factors surrounding a recent agile development project, 2) agile practices applied during the course of that project, and 3) perceptions regarding the relative fit (appropriateness) of the agile method used. Linear regression identified several significant relationships between project contextual factors, agile practices, and respondents’ relative fit perceptions

Risk Mitigation Strategies in Innovative Projects

This chapter discusses the challenge imposed by the dispersed innovation that shifts toward replicating the positive traits of co-location and coupling it with the unique advantages of the global initiative. Key concepts in this chapter include project risk, risk pertinent to the innovative projects, importance of risk mitigation in innovative projects, different risk categorization involved in mitigating risk in innovative projects, risk mitigation planning, risk mitigation strategies in innovative projects, and risk evaluation and mitigation strategies (REMS) in various types of innovative projects including the lesson learnt from the innovative projects to handle project risk by adopting risk mitigation strategies