Managing (In)Stability in complex and dynamic software teams: A sporting momentum perspective

Abstract

How should complex and dynamic software teams manage stability and instability? Contemporary information systems development (ISD) methods such as agile have been commonly cited as the answer to this question. However, there is evidence to suggest that these methods possess certain limitations which constrain their ability to effectively manage the impacts of turbulent environments. This research-in-progress paper introduces a new approach to understanding stability and instability in ISD teams, drawing on the concept of momentum. The concept of momentum, drawn from sports literature, is based on the view that team performances transition between states of stable peak performance (positive momentum) and states of unstable supressed performance (negative momentum). Successful sporting teams possess an innate ability to not only sustain states of constant peak performance but also possess a cognent ability to counteract the impacts of critical game instances or momentum breakers which destabilise their performance. This research presents a projected performance model and draws on sporting exemplars to explain the momentum existence. Implications of this model for understanding momentum in ISD teams are briefly considered.