Value-Based Decision-Making Using a Web-Based Tool: A Multiple Case Study

Abstract

[Context]: To remain competitive, innovative and to grow, companies should use a value-based decision-making where decisions are the best for that company's overall value creation. However, without tool support, the use of explicit value propositions and aggregation of different key stakeholders' decisions during decision-making may be a challenge for many companies. [Goal]: The goal of this paper is to investigate the extent to which a Web-based tool for value-based decision-making can successfully support stakeholders' decision-making process. [Method]: We conducted three case studies across four software projects, during six weeks, in the contexts of feature selection, test cases execution prioritization and user interfaces design selection. Prior to using the tool, stakeholders' value propositions were elicited via focus-group meetings; later, during a post-mortem phase, data was gathered via observation, semi-structured interviews and structured questionnaires. [Results]: Participants reported an improvement of their decision-making process and quality of decisions; further, they also felt confident about using the tool, and that it can be useful to their work. [Conclusions]: Results suggested that the use of tool support by the stakeholders in the investigated company for value-based decision-making improved their decision-making process and the quality of decisions.