An Empirical Study on Software Development Challenges

Abstract

The software has been considered constantly by librarian as a new information tool and invention. Present research intends to study challenges of Custom computer software development in Iran and to submit appropriate solutions for challenges. According to Standish Group's Chaos Report, only few software is completed successfully while a considerable part of them are failed or faced with challenges. Taking time and costs more than initial estimation and quality less than initial expectations are regarded challenges. Studying resources, some of the most challenging factors in software development phases and areas which mentioned in scientific texts have been extracted and 201 questionnaires out of 234 questionnaires have been returned by managers of companies' project team i.e. more than 86%.  Research variables had acceptable Cronbach's alpha, oscillating in range of 741% to 823%. Using mean test of a society, factors concerning process management and documentation quality have been recognized as challenges. Freidman text confirms significant difference, at least between the two factors, and challenges related to software maintenance has the lowest mean and the best situation while challenges related to documentation has the highest mean and the worst situation. Findings by Pearson correlation test offers positive and significant relation among all variables of research. The most important challenges for computer software developers in Iran are related to documentation quality and process management areas.