A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Essential Competencies of Software Professionals : A Unified Competence Gate Framework (2022)
Assyne, N., Ghanbari, H., & Pulkkinen, M. (2022). The Essential Competencies of Software Professionals : A Unified Competence Gate Framework. Information and Software Technology, 151, Article 107020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107020
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Assyne, Nana; Ghanbari, Hadi; Pulkkinen, Mirja
Journal or series: Information and Software Technology
ISSN: 0950-5849
eISSN: 1873-6025
Publication year: 2022
Volume: 151
Article number: 107020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infsof.2022.107020
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/82529
Abstract
Developing high-quality software requires skilled software professionals equipped with a set of basic and essential software engineering competencies (SEC). These competencies and the satisfaction levels derived from them change over a project's lifecycle, or as software professionals move from one project to another.
Objective
Previous studies suggest a lack of means enabling SEC stakeholders to identify and assess competencies suitable for different projects. Additionally, previous research has mainly portrayed SEC to be static and overlooked their evolution over time and across projects. We investigate how we could effectively identify and match the competencies of software professionals necessary for different projects.
Method
We follow a mixed-method approach to iteratively develop and evaluate a framework for identifying and managing SEC. In so doing, we use the results of an extensive literature review, focus group discussions with experts from academia and industry, and data collected through interviews with 138 individuals with a supervisory role in the software industry.
Results
Drawing on the Kano model and Competency Framework for Software Engineers, we propose a Unified Competence Gate for Software Professionals (UComGSP), a framework for identifying and managing SEC. The UComGSP consists of 62 hard competencies, 63 soft competencies, and 25 essential SEC competencies. Additionally, we propose three stakeholders’ satisfaction levels for SEC assessment: basic, performance, and delighter. Furthermore, based on empirical observation, we report 27 competencies not mentioned in the reviewed literature; 11 of them are considered ejavascript:void(0);ssential competencies.
Conclusion
Competence development involves different stakeholders, including software professionals, educators, and the software industry. The UComGSP framework enables SEC stakeholders to (i) identify SE competencies, (ii) identify the essential SEC, and (iii) assess the satisfaction levels that can be derived from different competencies. Future research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed framework across software development projects.
Keywords: software engineering; software development; software developers; know-how; competence; qualification; professional skills; competence needs; competence development; projects; software sector
Free keywords: software engineering; software development; competence; competencies; Kano model
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2022
JUFO rating: 3
