Knowledge for Software Maintenance

Authors

Mark Taylor, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Eddie Moynihan, School of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool L3 3AF, UK
Trevor Wood-Harper, Information Systems Research Centre, Salford University, Salford M5 4WT, UK

Document Type

Research Article

Abstract

Studies have shown that maintenance is up to 80% of the life-cycle effort of developing and maintaining a business information technology (IT) system. There are several factors which significantly affect maintenance work. This paper concentrates on one of these factors which is the knowledge staff require for effective and efficient systems maintenance. The knowledge required is split into two categories. Firstly, there is the knowledge of the business environment within which an IT system operates. Secondly, there is the knowledge of the technical IT system, particularly the details of the software structure. It is argued that both categories of knowledge are equally important and difficult to acquire. Examples of techniques for improving this knowledge are discussed. The article is partly based on case-study research into the actual practice of systems development and maintenance in 31 UK IT departments.

DOI

10.1177/026839629701200207

Recommended Citation

Taylor, Mark; Moynihan, Eddie; and Wood-Harper, Trevor (1997) "Knowledge for Software Maintenance," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 12: Iss. 2, Article 7.
DOI: 10.1177/026839629701200207
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol12/iss2/7