Antecedents for Successful Collaboration in Requirements Engineering. Issue 3 (8th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Paavola, Risto; Hallikainen, Petri
• Editors: Lee, WB; Tsui, Eric
• Is Part Of: VINE journal of information and knowledge management systems. Volume 46:Issue 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-08-08
• Subjects: Libraries -- Automation -- Periodicals; Information storage and retrieval systems -- Periodicals; 020
• DOI: 10.1108/VJIKMS-03-2016-0013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-5891

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The main focus of the requirements engineering (RE) literature has been on the technical aspects related to the RE projects. Research has largely focused on the specific methods for collecting the requirements for an information system. Much less research has been conducted on the social and collaboration aspects of RE. To fill this gap, this paper studies the contribution of social factors, such as social ties, knowledge sharing and flexibility to successful collaboration in RE teams. Design/methodology/approach: The research followed the case study methodology. Data were collected from a successful requirements engineering and development project in a public sector company in Finland. The model for social collaboration by Kotlarsky and Oshri (2005) was applied as a starting point for analysis, but new concepts emerged during the coding process. Findings: The results suggest that human-related aspects, such as flexibility, collective knowledge and transactive memory, were important for successful collaborative work in the RE team studied. The results show a clear connection between the collaboration factors in the RE process and the success of the end product. Originality/value: The article fills a clear gap in the RE literature. It shows that human-related aspects are important in the RE process. This opens up new research avenues, such as investigating the effect of human-related factors over the whole lifecycle of a project.