Moving away from a hacker vs. disciplined-based organizational legacy-an organization theory perspective on software processes

Abstract

Software firms, like producers in any industry, face a spectrum of product and process choices. Historically, however, this continuum has been anchored by two contrasting approaches to software development, and these paradigms continue to dominate literature and practice today: the hacker versus a more discipline-based approach. As application type software products have become larger and more complex, former practitioners of the hacker approach have had to impose more discipline and structure on their development process. Likewise, discipline-based firms are having to learn to work more flexibly in the face of increasingly volatile competition and reduced cycle times. This paper addresses the managerial challenges presented by these converging models. Can firms overcome their legacy as either a hacker or disciplinarian without sacrificing the advantages associated with their old approach?.