Empirical Investigation of Human and Social Factors Influencing the Productivity of Software Development Teams in Pakistan

Abstract

Software development stands as the most important pillar of the IT industry, having a significant influence on the progress and betterment of our daily lives. In this context, the productivity of software development teams emerges as a linchpin in the software industry's advancement. This research aims to study the impact of various factors on the productivity of software development teams, with a focus on the Pakistani software development industry. Employing a survey-based methodology, we draw upon a framework adapted from Kitchenham et al., encompassing six critical steps: defining objectives, survey design, instrument construction, evaluating instrument validity and reliability, administering the instrument, and analyzing results. Our Framework includes critical factors under study including communication, commitment, motivation, job satisfaction, emotional intelligence, collaboration, cohesion, leadership, and autonomy among others. From studying the importance of these factors and analyzing of results, our research aims to furnish insightful recommendations and practical strategies to enhance the performance of development teams within the Pakistani context. Our overarching objective is to contribute meaningful insights that can be effectively applied to enhance the outcomes of software development projects in Pakistan.