Decision Sciences Journal
Volume 30, Number 2
Spring 1999
A DEA Framework to Assess the Efficiency of the Software
Requirements Capture and Analysis Process
Prodromos D. Chatzoglou
Business Administration Department, School of Business and Economics,
T.E.I. of Kavala, Agios Loukas, P.O. Box 1194, 65404 Kavala,
Greece, pdchatz@kavala.teikav.edu.gr
Andreas C. Soteriou
Department of Public and Business Administration, University
of Cyprus, P.O. Box 537, Nicosia, Cyprus, basotir@ucy.ac.cy
ABSTRACT
In this paper a theoretical framework to assess the efficiency
of the Requirements Capture and Analysis (RCA) process in software
development is introduced. Although it is widely recognized that
successful implementation of the first stages of the software
development process is critical for the overall development process,
RCA efficiency assessments have not been given much attention.
The presented theoretical framework to assess RCA efficiency
follows a production approach to model the early stages of a
software project. An approach based on Data Envelopment Analysis
that utilizes the proposed framework to isolate the effects of
exogenous factors, such as the environment or the type of project,
on the project’s RCA efficiency is also presented. Finally,
the applicability of the methodology through an exploratory empirical
study is demonstrated, and managerial implications are discussed.
Subject Areas: Data Envelopment Analysis, Requirements
Capture and Analysis, and Software Development. |