Using multi dimensional scaling to analyse software engineers' de‐motivators for SPI

Abstract

AbstractWe present analysis of factors that de‐motivate software practitioners from supporting software process improvement (SPI) initiatives, using a multidimensional scaling (MDS) technique. Our findings are based on an empirical study involving nearly 200 software practitioners from 13 UK companies. Our aim is to provide managers with a better understanding of the obstacles that prevent practitioners from supporting SPI. This insight should help SPI managers establish more effective SPI implementation strategies. In this article we re‐introduce the use of MDS techniques in SPI research. MDS is a social science data analysis technique designed to generate a rich visual understanding of human issues. By using MDS we found evidence to suggest distinct clusters of de‐motivators exist for different staff groups. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.