Call for Action

 

Software engineering is gravely hampered today by immature practices. Specific problems include:

  • The prevalence of fads more typical of fashion industry than of an engineering discipline.

  • The lack of a sound, widely accepted theoretical basis.

  • The huge number of methods and method variants, with differences little understood and artificially magnified.

  • The lack of credible experimental evaluation and validation.

  • The split between industry practice and academic research.

We support a process to refound software engineering based on a solid theory, proven principles and best practices that:

  • Include a kernel of widely-agreed elements, extensible for specific uses

  • Addresses both technology and people issues

  • Are supported by industry, academia, researchers and users

  • Support extension in the face of changing requirements and technology