Software development behavior in small organizations

As the software industry continues to mature, best practices have been defined to improve the quality and productivity of software development. Adoption rates of these practices are better understood for large organizations as compared to small standalone organizations. Based on surveys and interviews, this study analyzes the utilization of software development best practices by small software organizations, and the factors that influence different levels of adoption. The results demonstrate that context is the main determinant of adoption, driven by competitive pressures, organizational incentives, and prior exposure to best practices. Consulting firms were influenced by their contractual relationship with the client, which led to more focus on deliverables. Traditional product companies emphasized code management practices, though their focus on domain expertise detracted from software development best practices. Finally, startups were characterized by experienced senior managers who balanced quality assurance against pressures for a quick time to market release.