Macro analysis of techniques to deal with uncertainty in information systems development: Mapping representational framing influences

Abstract

Development methods and techniques provide structure, directedftasks and cognitive tools with which to collect, collate, analyze and representfinformation about system requirements and attributes. These methods andftechniques provide support for developers when learning about a system. Eachfdevelopment technique has its own unique set of characteristics distinguishingfit from other techniques. Consequently, different development techniques canfrepresent the same set of requirements or a problem situation differently. A newfclassification of techniques is developed based on representationalfcharacteristics. To understand if these different representations are likely tofimpact problem and requirement understanding this paper draws upon thefframing effect of prospect theory. The classification is applied to works fromfthe cognitive psychology literature which indicate how specific techniquefattributes may influence problem understanding. This classification is applied tofapproximately 100 development techniques.