2020/06/07 by Robert C. Fuller, Fuller, Robert C., Philippe Kruchten +1
Computer Science · #FOS: Computer and information sciences #Open Source Software Innovations #Software Engineering (cs.SE) #Software Engineering Research #Software Engineering Techniques and Practices
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2006.04238
openalex publication_date 2020/06/07 · openalex created_date 2022/07/26 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Within the agile paradigm, many software product companies create\ncross-functional product development teams that own their product or a defined\nset of product features. In contrast to development teams operating within a\nheavily-disciplined software development process, these product teams often\nrequire a deeper and, importantly, a collective understanding of the product\ndomain to serve as a rich context within which to understand the product\nrequirements. Little is known about the factors that support or impede these\nteams in collectively achieving this deep understanding of the product domain.\nUsing Constructivist Grounded Theory method, we study individuals and teams\nacross seven software companies that create products for a diverse range of\nmarkets. The study found that certain organisational and planning process\nfactors play a significant role in whether product development teams have the\npotential to collectively develop deep domain understanding. These factors also\nimpact individual and development team dynamics. We identify two essential\nmetaphorical dynamics of broadening the lens and blurring boundaries that\ncross-functional product teams employ in order to fully embrace product\nownership, visioning, and planning towards achieving a deep collective domain\nunderstanding, creating a richer context in which to understand product\nrequirements. We also conclude that the highly specialised nature of many\norganisational models and development processes is contraindicated for\ncross-functional product development teams in achieving this deep collective\nunderstanding and we call for a rethinking of conventional organisational and\nproduct planning practices for software product development.\n