TY - GEN
T1 - Shared mental models among open source software developers
AU - Scozzi, Barbara
AU - Crowston, Kevin
AU - Eseryel, U. Yeliz
AU - Li, Qing
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Shared understandings are important for software development as they guide effective individual contributions and coordination of the software development process. However, it is not clear if such understandings can be developed in highly distributed groups that do not regularly meet face-to-face. In this paper, we present the results of a preliminary analysis of shared mental models within a Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) development team. We analyzed mental models using cognitive mapping and process analysis and compared the models of four developers from the Apache Lucene Java project. Our analysis suggests that there is a high level of sharing among core developers but the sharing is not complete, with some differences related to tenure and role in the project. Finally, we suggest directions for further research on shared mental models in FLOSS teams.
AB - Shared understandings are important for software development as they guide effective individual contributions and coordination of the software development process. However, it is not clear if such understandings can be developed in highly distributed groups that do not regularly meet face-to-face. In this paper, we present the results of a preliminary analysis of shared mental models within a Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) development team. We analyzed mental models using cognitive mapping and process analysis and compared the models of four developers from the Apache Lucene Java project. Our analysis suggests that there is a high level of sharing among core developers but the sharing is not complete, with some differences related to tenure and role in the project. Finally, we suggest directions for further research on shared mental models in FLOSS teams.
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U2 - 10.1109/HICSS.2008.391
DO - 10.1109/HICSS.2008.391
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:51449117263
SN - 0769530753
SN - 9780769530758
T3 - Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
BT - Proceedings of the 41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2008, HICSS
T2 - 41st Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2008, HICSS
Y2 - 7 January 2008 through 10 January 2008
ER -