Using Casual Loop Diagramming to Explore the Drivers of Web Development

Abstract

This paper proposes the basic analytical framework of web development systems from the perspective of system dynamics. Based on the feedback characteristic of web development activities, we analyze the causality in the web development from six aspects including work stress, web development, motivation, developer maintenance, recruitment and outsourcing and create a casual loop diagram of web development. Through system analysis, crucial factors needed for web developers to accomplish web development tasks continuously and stably are illuminated. The results show that external variables such as new recruitment and case outsourcing can have a short-term effect on the system, while internal variables such as work motivation and work stress have a greater influence on web development activities, which will result in a fluctuation of job performance. From the perspective of management, countermeasures are put forward on how to mobilize the enthusiasm and initiative of developers and improve productivity.