A multidimensional review and extension of the SPI Manifesto using STEEPLED analysis: an expert validation

Abstract

Over a decade has passed since the inception of the SPI Manifesto. The fact that the signatories of the manifesto emanate from both the academic and the industrial communities enables a robust exchange of ideas and experiences. Continuous enrichment and refinement have been evidenced in publications, industrial projects, and consultancy across both communities. The main publication fora of this cross-disciplinary collaboration have been the EuroAsiaSPI conferences, which have stimulated the healthy evolution of innovative ideas and disciplinary action(s). There is a current debate aiming to review and update the SPI Manifesto after ten years of theory and practice whilst major trends and practices gained ground. This study aims to validate the multidimensional STEEPLED (Sociocultural, Technical, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal, Ethical, and Demographic) analysis of the SPI Manifesto, and to contribute to-wards a formal review and upgrade of the SPI Manifesto. The study targets the strengthening of the dimensions which are absent, mentioned, or implied, but are not explicitly specified in the SPI Manifesto. The experts are academics and practitioners or both, all with a strong track record in the SPI movement. The authors are also academics and/or practitioners and include some of the original developers/signatories of the SPI Manifesto. This paper concludes with concrete suggestions for the update, extension, and re-launch of the SPI Manifesto and proposals for the formulation of strategies for guiding SPI