Abstract
In distributed software development, planning and managing fair and transparent task allocation is both critical and challenging. The objective of this paper is to propose a decentralized blockchain-oriented, transparent task allocation framework to improve the quality of the task allocation process. It addresses the concerns of (i) enhancing collaboration, (ii) inhibiting knowledge vaporization, and (iii) reducing documentation problems. The proposed method is a novel two-fold process: First, it identifies and categorizes tasks exhibiting different dependencies and complexities to create equal task clusters based on their dependency type, difficulty, cost, and time. Second, it uses a blockchain-oriented framework to broadcast, check bid validity, allow developers to bid on tasks matching their roles and expertise, evaluate, and announce the winner for task allocation using smart contracts. Results of experimentation, surveys, and interviews with software practitioners conclude that the proposed solution is transparent and effective in allocating tasks (with Cranach’s alpha of 0.894) at a low cost of contract execution in a distributed software development environment. Overall, the proposed approach will have a positive and significant impact in industrial settings.
Highlights
IntroductionDespite numerous advantages in overcoming barriers of geographically distributed teams, such as different time zones, reduction in development cost, time of development, etc., some of the barriers arise in planning and managing task allocation, coordination, communication, handling of strategic issues, knowledge management, interpersonal relationships, technical issues, team roles and responsibilities, efficiency, and trust among team members [1,2,3,4,5,6]
A significant challenge in distributed software development (DSD) is related to handling task allocation—what, when, to whom, and how—to remote teams
This paper presented a novel TaskAuc approach for task auction and allocation in a transparent manner using the concept of blockchain technology in distributed software development
Summary
Despite numerous advantages in overcoming barriers of geographically distributed teams, such as different time zones, reduction in development cost, time of development, etc., some of the barriers arise in planning and managing task allocation, coordination, communication, handling of strategic issues, knowledge management, interpersonal relationships, technical issues, team roles and responsibilities, efficiency, and trust among team members [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Both academia and industry are exploring solutions to these challenges of distributed software development. Another issue that is dominant in DSD is the knowledge vaporization
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