History
The Foundations of Software Process Management (2004-2010)
The mid-2000s were characterized by a strong emphasis on establishing, refining, and learning from software development processes. Early discussions centered on the direct pursuit of "Successful process implementation" (2004), indicating an initial focus on getting processes right. As organizations gained experience, the discourse evolved to address challenges inherent in such initiatives, as seen in "Managing Slowdown in Improvement Projects" (2008). By the end of this period, there was a clear recognition of the importance of reflective practice, with titles like "Appreciating Lessons Learned" (2010) suggesting a maturation in how projects were managed, moving beyond mere execution to systematic learning and continuous improvement.
Embracing Agility and Collaboration (2011)
A notable shift emerged in the early 2010s, moving beyond internal process refinement to embrace more dynamic and collaborative approaches. The focus broadened to include external partnerships, particularly between industry and academia. The article "Agile Collaborative Research: Action Principles for Industry-Academia Collaboration" (2011) highlights this pivot, emphasizing agile methodologies and the principles required for effective cross-organizational teamwork. This suggests a recognition that innovation and progress increasingly relied on flexible, adaptive strategies and cooperative endeavors, rather than solely on rigid internal processes.
The Rise of AI, Cloud, and Legacy Modernization (2020-2022)
The early 2020s mark a significant expansion of research interests, driven by the emergence of transformative technologies. Artificial intelligence became a central theme, explored both broadly in "Expert Perspectives on AI" (2020) and specifically concerning its impact on software engineering, as highlighted by "The AI Effect: Working at the Intersection of AI and SE" (2020). Parallel to this, organizations grappled with the implications of existing systems in a rapidly changing landscape, leading to research on identifying and managing "Process Legacies in Software Development Organizations" (2020). By 2022, the conversation had clearly shifted towards modern architectural paradigms, with titles such as "An Ecosystem for the Large-Scale Reuse of Microservices in a Cloud-Native Context" (2022) showcasing a strong focus on cloud-native development and modularity. This period reflects a pivot from fundamental process management to addressing the opportunities and challenges presented by advanced technologies and the modernization of existing IT infrastructures.
