The literature and industrial practice reveal that the Distributed Software Development (DSD) is becoming a reality in most large organizations, in search of improvements in quality, productivity and cost reduction. However, although several (primary and secondary) studies have produced results for the communication process in DSD design, there is still a lack of a Systematic Tertiary Study to provide subsidies for further research and improvement on industrial practice. Our book aims at a conceptual approach concerning DSD design and consolidates knowledge about the communication process in DSD projects, especially the factors that influence the communication, the effects of communication in DSD projects and the relationship between factors and effects.
Table of Contents
1. Cybercommunication
1.1 Cybercommunication
1.2 Simulacres et Simulation in Information Society
1.3 Distributed Software Development: Strategies to Business
2. Research Method
2.1 Review Protocol
2.2 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
2.3 Source and Search Strategy
2.4 Selection Process for Secondary Studies
2.5 Quality Evaluation
2.6 Data Extraction
2.7 Data Synthesis
3. The Results So Far
3.1 Studies Overview
3.2 Secondary Studies Quality
3.3 Evidence Mapping
3.3.1 Q1: Which factors influence the communication process in DSD Projects?
3.3.2 Q2: Which Are The Effects Identified in The Communication Process in DSD Projects?
3.3.3 Q3: What Which Factors Are Related To The Effects Identified in The Communication Process in Distributed Software Development Projects?
4. Analysis of Results
4.1 Analogy to Carmel’s Approach
4.2 Conceptual Model of the Communication Process Effectiveness in DSD Projects
5. Proposal of Good Practices
6. Final Considerations
7. Tertiary Study Limitations
7.1 Future Studies
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this work is to provide a conceptual approach to Distributed Software Development (DSD) design by consolidating knowledge regarding the communication process. The research seeks to identify key factors that influence communication, analyze the resulting effects on DSD projects, and establish the cause-effect relationships between these elements to assist both researchers and practitioners.
- Systematic investigation of factors influencing communication in DSD.
- Identification and classification of effects arising from DSD communication processes.
- Establishment of a cause-effect relationship model for communication effectiveness.
- Development of evidence-based good practices to mitigate project failure.
- Mapping of communication challenges to project management strategies.
Excerpt from the Book
Introduction
The global interaction based on the sharing of information and knowledge, and advances in communication technologies, have changed the concept of economy and society - consumers become producers, and producers become consumers of content, goods and services in a new global economic model, without restrictions or barriers, induced by a process of massive collaboration, say Tapscott and Williams in Teixeira (2012). In its turn, the “Information Society” has become a natural stage in the evolutionary and social development of people, in a world increasingly interconnected by new technologies. Manuel Castells adds to that, asserting that the web allowed interest groups and network projects to overcome time-costs problems associated to the chaotic pre-www information, as, in this basis, groups, individuals and organizations could interact significantly with what has become, literally, a wide world web of interactive and individualized communication. Thence, a new social conscience is created, which will be used by an net society, at local and global levels, crossing both communication contexts, constituting a collaborative e interactive global network. In other sense, the geographical boundaries are diluted, the world today is interconnected by the simultaneity of the new information and communication technologies.
Summary of Chapters
1. Cybercommunication: This chapter traces the historical evolution of cybernetics and communication in the digital era, detailing the transition from mass society to a globalized network society.
2. Research Method: This section outlines the systematic tertiary review protocol used to analyze secondary studies and synthesize evidence regarding communication in distributed development.
3. The Results So Far: This chapter presents the statistical overview of the selected secondary studies, their quality assessment, and the mapping of identified factors and effects.
4. Analysis of Results: This chapter provides an analogy to Carmel’s approach to classify centrifugal and centripetal forces and introduces a conceptual model for communication effectiveness.
5. Proposal of Good Practices: This chapter lists practical, evidence-based recommendations for project managers to mitigate common communication failures in DSD environments.
6. Final Considerations: This chapter summarizes the research findings and highlights the remaining gaps in the field that require further investigation.
7. Tertiary Study Limitations: This chapter discusses potential biases and challenges regarding data extraction and structure in the analyzed studies, alongside suggestions for future research.
Keywords
Distributed Software Development, DSD, Communication Process, Systematic Literature Review, Tertiary Study, Information Society, Cyberculture, Software Engineering, Knowledge Management, Global Teams, Agile Approaches, Communication Effectiveness, Collaboration Tools, Project Management, Centrifugal Forces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research focuses on investigating and consolidating existing knowledge regarding the communication process within Distributed Software Development (DSD) projects.
What are the central thematic fields covered in this work?
The main themes include communication factors, the effects of communication on project success, the relationship between these factors and effects, and the proposal of good practices for distributed environments.
What is the primary research question being addressed?
The study is guided by three questions: identifying the factors that influence communication in DSD, identifying the resulting effects, and determining the relationship between these factors and effects.
Which scientific method is utilized in this publication?
The work employs a tertiary review research method, which involves conducting a systematic review of secondary studies to synthesize existing evidence in the DSD field.
What topics are addressed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical evolution of cybercommunication, the detailed research methodology, empirical results from secondary study analysis, a conceptual model of communication effectiveness, and practical guidelines for project management.
What are the primary keywords that characterize this work?
Key terms include Distributed Software Development (DSD), Communication Process, Systematic Literature Review, Global Teams, and Project Management.
How does the conceptual model proposed in the book function?
The model establishes a chain of cause-effect relationships between identified factors (such as cultural differences or geographic dispersion) and their specific impacts on communication effectiveness in distributed teams.
What does the book suggest as the primary "centrifugal forces" leading to project failure?
These include factors like cultural differences, geographic dispersion, language barriers, and limited informal communication, which can lead to project failure if not mitigated.
What is the role of the "centripetal forces" identified in the research?
These are positive factors like clear media definition, agile practices, high bandwidth, and effective collaboration tools that promote team success and effective communication.
- Quote paper
- Ivaldir Honório de Farias Júnior (Author), Alinne Corrêa dos Santos (Author), Marcelo Mendonça Teixeira (Author), Tiago Alessandro Espínola Ferreira (Author), 2014, Factors and Effects of Communication in Distributed Software Development, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/266728
