Beyond computer science

ABSTRACT

Computer science is necessary but not sufficient to understand and overcome the problems we face in software engineering. We need to understand not only the properties of the software itself, but also the limitations and competences humans bring to the engineering task. Rather than rely on commonsense notions, we need a deep and nuanced view of human capabilities in order to determine how to enhance them. I discuss what I regard as promising examples of cognitive and organizational theories and propose research directions to develop new ways of representing run-time behavior and ways of thinking about project coordination. I conclude with observations on creating an interdisciplinary culture.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.0 General

General Terms:
Experimentation, Measurement, Theory

Keywords:
behavioral science, coordination, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary