Human Aspects of Software Development : The Impact of Human Aspects of Software Development Teams Using Agile Methodologies

Abstract: The role of a software engineer is often misconceived as an isolated task, needing nointerpersonal communication skills. Contrary to this perception there is a growingrecognition of the importance of soft skills in the field, with a lot of research, includingthis paper, pointing at the importance of the human factors.This thesis aims to highlight the significance of soft skills, specifically social skillssuch as communication, in the field of software engineering. It continues exploringthe impact on factors such as team performance and productivity.The research was conducted in two parts, with an initial literature study in orderto enhance the following parts. A survey distributed to industry professionals andvarious social media sites. The survey was then supplemented by five semi-structuredinterviews with both developers and managers in the field, allowing for more nuancedand detailed answers.The study shows the necessity of human factors, such as social skills and respectin successful software engineering practices. In software engineering teamwork isinherent, thus having qualities contributing to good team work is key. Notably, thestudy’s results indicate the importance of effective communication and a positivework environment for successful team work. However, the findings do not show acorrelation between a team’s social dynamics and its productivity, provided thatessential work communication is maintained in both high and low social interactionteams.The findings of this research can benefit both individuals striving to improveas software engineers, as well as companies seeking to improve team performance.A deeper understanding of the importance of soft skills can enable the formation ofmore effective, cohesive teams. More significantly, it could contribute to an improvedquality of life for software engineers, as interpersonal relations and communicationskills are key focal points in while working as a software engineer.