Decision problems in requirements negotiations – Identifying the underlying structures

Abstract

In the preparation phase of negotiation processes, the decision problem needs to be identified to assign preferences and thus enable offer evaluation. However, in software requirements negotiations, identification of the required decision problem structure is not easy, since requirements negotiations vary due to organisational factors such as stakeholders involved or the software development method applied. This paper identifies decision problem structures in software requirements negotiations using a literature-based research approach. In doing so, a matrix of decision relevant information in software requirements negotiations and their representation in a negotiation context is developed. The matrix can be utilised as a framework to select appropriate scenarios of decision problem structures in software requirements negotiations.