| This study analyzed the effects of information in software development efficiency---specifically, how information affects the productivity of software developers and managers. The researcher used a combination of surveys, questionnaires, and oral interviews to elicit information from 26 software engineers and managers, all of whom had been directly involved in software development for at least 5 years. The interviewees were asked a set of questions concerning how information is retrieved and used, how well structured the information is when delivered, ease of storage and updating of this information, problems related to information in the actual development, and an ideal information infrastructure for software developers. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of various information variables on the dependent variable time, a surrogate for efficiency to measure software development efficiency. The independent variables for this research were quality of information, relevant information, and communications. Statistical analysis indicated that relevant information and communication had significant effects on software development efficiency, while quality of information had no significant effect. T tests indicated a significant difference in the perception of programmers and managers with regard to information. Most programmers indicated that there was too much information in their organizations with too little structure. The findings suggest that organizations should create infrastructures to enhance processes of accessing, capturing, retrieving, sharing, and creating information. |
