[论文解读] The Impact of Considering Human Values during Requirements Engineering Activities

Harsha Perera, Rashina Hoda+5 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Nov 30, 2021

Software Engineering Techniques and Practices被引用 10

一句话总结

本研究提出了一种基于情景的价值获取流程，旨在早期软件开发阶段将人类价值观（如公平、自由和社会责任）嵌入软件需求。通过对56名从业者进行30分钟的调查，研究发现：明确考虑价值观可增强价值识别、功能目的性、创造力以及价值与功能的映射，从而提出一个实用的四步框架，用于实现以价值观为导向的需求工程。

ABSTRACT

Human values, or what people hold important in their life, such as freedom, fairness, and social responsibility, often remain unnoticed and unattended during software development. Ignoring values can lead to values violations in software that can result in financial losses, reputation damage, and widespread social and legal implications. However, embedding human values in software is not only non-trivial but also generally an unclear process. Commencing as early as during the Requirements Engineering (RE) activities promises to ensure fit-for-purpose and quality software products that adhere to human values. But what is the impact of considering human values explicitly during early RE activities? To answer this question, we conducted a scenario-based survey where 56 software practitioners contextualised requirements analysis towards a proposed mobile application for the homeless and suggested values-laden software features accordingly. The suggested features were qualitatively analysed. Results show that explicit considerations of values can help practitioners identify applicable values, associate purpose with the features they develop, think outside-the-box, and build connections between software features and human values. Finally, drawing from the results and experiences of this study, we propose a scenario-based values elicitation process -- a simple four-step takeaway as a practical implication of this study.

研究动机与目标

• 调查在早期需求工程（RE）活动中明确考虑人类价值观的影响。
• 解决在需求工程工作流中整合人类价值观的实用、可操作方法的缺口。
• 开发一种灵活的、基于情景的流程，使从业者能够识别并将其软件功能与核心人类价值观对齐。

提出的方法

• 对56名参与需求工程活动的软件从业者开展了基于情景的调查。
• 通过一个涉及为无家可归者设计移动应用的真实情景，收集与价值观相关的需求建议。
• 采用社会技术扎根理论（STGT）对功能描述进行定性分析，以识别考虑价值观的影响。
• 由三位独立分析师采用调查者三角测量法，确保价值映射编码的可靠性。
• 提出一个四步基于情景的价值获取流程，作为需求工程从业者可实际应用的成果。
• 通过超链接链接至Schwartz的价值理论和圆形模型，以帮助参与者更好地理解人类价值观。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 在早期需求工程活动中明确考虑人类价值观会产生何种影响？
• RQ2 当通过情景提示时，从业者如何识别、关联并映射价值观到软件功能？
• RQ3 基于情景的思维能否有效实现需求获取中人类价值观的操作化？

主要发现

• 当在需求分析中明确提示时，从业者能够更自信地识别出相关的人类价值观。
• 明确考虑价值观有助于从业者为其提出的功能赋予有意义的目的，从而增强设计的意图性。
• 该流程激发了创造性思维，鼓励从业者从个人与社会经验中汲取灵感，提出创新且与价值观一致的功能。
• 无论是以功能为导向还是以价值观为导向的映射方法，均被证明在实践中有效，支持灵活应用。
• 所提出的四步基于情景的价值获取流程为在需求工程工作流中嵌入价值观提供了实用且可操作的框架。
• 基于情景的调查方法被证明有效且灵活，尤其在COVID-19大流行期间远程工作等限制条件下表现突出。