Mapping social networks in software process improvement: An action research study

Abstract

Software process improvement in small, agile organizations is often problematic. Model-based approaches seem to overlook problems. We have been seeking an alternative approach to overcome this through action research. Here we report on a piece of action research from which we developed an approach to map social networks and suggest how it can he used in software process improvement. We applied the mapping approach in a small software company to support the realization of new ways of improving software processes. The mapping approach was found useful in improving social networks, and thus furthers software process improvement. © 2005 by International Federation for Information Processing. All rights reserved.