Relations between CSCW and software process research: a position statement

Abstract

The field of CSCW is investigating computer support for arbitrary, distributed cooperative work while the field of software process is focusing on control and automation of the activities of collaborating software engineers. We look at the scope and important ideas of these fields and address the following questions: are software process and CSCW two approaches for the same research field? Are the two fields taking incompatible approaches to solve the same problem? Can each field help the other to better meet its goals? We explore the possibility of integrating our solutions. We give only preliminary answers to these questions and hope that by raising these questions we can develop better answers and a concrete plan to integrate our own efforts and those of other participants in the workshop.