ISSN:
1432-010X
Keywords:
User participation
;
Contingency theory
;
Empirieal study
;
Uncertainty
;
Requirements engineering success
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Computer Science
Notes:
Abstract In the development of information systems, user participation in the requirements engineering (RE) process is hypothesised to be necessary for RE success. In this paper we develop a theoretical model which predicts that the interaction between user participation in the RE process and uncertainty has an impact on RE success. This theory is empirically tested using survey data. We develop instruments to measure user participation and uncertainty. An existing instrument for measuring RE success was used. This instrument covers two dimensions of RE success: (a) the quality of RE service, and (b) the quality of RE products. The results, indicate that as uncertainty increases, greater user participation alleviates the negative influence of uncertainty on the quality of RE service, and that as uncertainty decreases, the beneficial effects on the quality of RE service of increasing user participation diminish. Furthermore, we did not find that the interaction between user participation and uncertainty had an impact on the quality of RE products. Based on these results, we make recommendations for managing user participation in the RE process, and provide directions for future research.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01235763
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