Reflections on the role of design in software development

Reflections on the role of design in software development

Penha, Alice Demaria Silva; Santos, Flávio Anthero Nunes Vianna dos

Full Article:

Several funding agencies of the Brazilian economy disclose the importance and benefits of the design. However, very few studies have explored the role of the designer within the company and the perception of entrepreneurs related to this type of investment. This article aims to investigate how software development companies in Florianópolis/SC perceive the influence of design on usability of their products. To investigate this question, we used the approach of Grounded Theory, in which the researcher conducts a qualitative research through data collection, coding and categorization. The analysis results may suggest that (1) the process of elicitation requirements could be enhanced with the use of practical design (2) designers and programmers have diverse backgrounds, causing difficulties in communication between professionals, (3) the function designer''s perception of the companies participating in this study, is strongly related to aesthetic issue and marketing of the product, and (4) the design hardly integrates with team procedures in an oblivious process to the enterprises.

Several funding agencies of the Brazilian economy disclose the importance and benefits of the design. However, very few studies have explored the role of the designer within the company and the perception of entrepreneurs related to this type of investment. This article aims to investigate how software development companies in Florianópolis/SC perceive the influence of design on usability of their products. To investigate this question, we used the approach of Grounded Theory, in which the researcher conducts a qualitative research through data collection, coding and categorization. The analysis results may suggest that (1) the process of elicitation requirements could be enhanced with the use of practical design (2) designers and programmers have diverse backgrounds, causing difficulties in communication between professionals, (3) the function designer''s perception of the companies participating in this study, is strongly related to aesthetic issue and marketing of the product, and (4) the design hardly integrates with team procedures in an oblivious process to the enterprises.

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DOI: 10.5151/designpro-CIDI-107

Referências bibliográficas

• [1] ACATE – Associação Catarinense de Empresas de Tecnologia. Relatório de Mapeamento de Recursos Humanos e Cursos de TIC em Santa Catarina. Florianópolis, 2012. Disponível em: Andlt;http://www.acate.com.br/sites/default/files/arquivos/mapeamento_relatorio_.rarAndgt;. Acesso em: 31 ago. 2012.
• [2] CYBIS, W.; BETIOL, A. H.; FAUST, R. Ergonomia e Usabilidade: conhecimentos métodos e aplicações. São Paulo: Novatec, 2007.
• [3] GIBBS, Graham. Análise de dados qualitativos. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2009.
• [4] PRESSMMAN, R. S. Engenharia de Software. 7 ed. Porto Alegre: AMGH, 2011.
• [5] SOMMERVILLE, I. Engenharia de Software. 8 ed. São Paulo: Pearson Addison-Wesley, 2007.
• [6] STRAUSS, A.; CORBIN, J. Pesquisa qualitativa: técnicas e procedimentos para o desenvolvimento de teoria fundamentada. 2. ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed, 2008.
• [7] TONSIG, S. L. Engenharia de Software: análise e projeto de sistemas. 2. ed. rev. e amp. Rio de Janeiro: Ciência Moderna, 2008.
• [8] UPA – Usability Professionals’ Association. Business Benefits of Usability. Disponível em: Andlt;http://www.usabilityprofessionals.org/usability_resources/usability_in_the_real_world/benefits_of_usability.htmlAndgt;. Acesso em: 26 jun. 2012.

Como citar:

Penha, Alice Demaria Silva; Santos, Flávio Anthero Nunes Vianna dos; "Reflections on the role of design in software development", p-1140-1145. In: In Coutinho, Solange G.; Moura, Monica; Campello, Silvio Barreto; Cadena, Renata A.; Almeida, Swanne (orgs.). Proceedings of the 6th Information Design International Conference, 5th InfoDesign, 6th CONGIC [= Blucher Design Proceedings, num.2, vol.1]. São Paulo: Blucher, 2014.
ISSN 23186968, DOI 10.5151/designpro-CIDI-107