The soft side of hard metrics: Lessons from software development in multinational organizations
Software metrics are widely used in agile development to enhance productivity, quality, and decision-making. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by communication challenges that arise from differing stakeholder perspectives, organizational structures, and the social dynamics of software t...
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| Vydáno v: | Business horizons |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
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Elsevier Inc
01.11.2025
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| ISSN: | 0007-6813 |
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| Abstract | Software metrics are widely used in agile development to enhance productivity, quality, and decision-making. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by communication challenges that arise from differing stakeholder perspectives, organizational structures, and the social dynamics of software teams. This paper explores these challenges through an empirical study of four multinational industrial organizations in Sweden and Germany. We identify key obstacles, including a lack of shared understanding of metrics, unclear stakeholder roles, ineffective communication channels, and the unintended use of metrics as tools for criticism rather than improvement. Based on our findings, we propose a framework of best practices to enhance metrics communication, foster transparency, and ensure that metrics support constructive feedback rather than causing resistance. By addressing the human factors in software measurement, organizations can improve collaboration, decision-making, and the overall positive impact of their metrics programs. |
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| AbstractList | Software metrics are widely used in agile development to enhance productivity, quality, and decision-making. However, their effectiveness is often hindered by communication challenges that arise from differing stakeholder perspectives, organizational structures, and the social dynamics of software teams. This paper explores these challenges through an empirical study of four multinational industrial organizations in Sweden and Germany. We identify key obstacles, including a lack of shared understanding of metrics, unclear stakeholder roles, ineffective communication channels, and the unintended use of metrics as tools for criticism rather than improvement. Based on our findings, we propose a framework of best practices to enhance metrics communication, foster transparency, and ensure that metrics support constructive feedback rather than causing resistance. By addressing the human factors in software measurement, organizations can improve collaboration, decision-making, and the overall positive impact of their metrics programs. |
| Author | Asatiani, Aleksandre Lindström, Nataliya Berbyuk Mankevich, Vasili Zhang, Yixin |
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| Cites_doi | 10.1016/j.bushor.2012.01.006 10.1016/j.infsof.2005.07.001 10.1016/j.infsof.2015.02.005 10.1145/336512.336588 10.1108/BPMJ-09-2016-0188 10.1016/j.jss.2015.04.084 10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.005 |
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| SubjectTerms | Change management Communication Digital transformation Information Systems Information Systems, Social aspects Programvaruteknik Software Engineering Software metrics Software metricsDigital transformationCommunicationChange management Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik Systemvetenskap, informationssystem och informatik med samhällsvetenskaplig inriktning |
| Title | The soft side of hard metrics: Lessons from software development in multinational organizations |
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