Evolution of End-User-Development - Coursework Example

Evolution of End-User-Development Name Date Institution Traditionally, software developers and users were considered as two different entities. Developers would create the computer systems that would then be used by users in their day-to-day activities. Recently, however, due to some demands in today’s information and communication technology, these roles cannot be clearly defined as more users not only utilize the software but also are involved in creating and modifying software. Their role therefore is evolving to be more active in information and software artifacts production. Ardito et al. (2012, 78-90) defines users as people who interact with software systems such as software engineers who use tools and environments at their work. End users are defined as people who do not possess any expertise in computer science and are not willing to but use computer system in their day-to-day activities either for work or for entertainment. As classified by Rockart and Flannery (1983), end users fall into three broad categories: the non-programming end users which consists of those who have access to computerized data which is limited by structured applications that have strict procedure and data entry personnel; the command level users class, which includes those who perform simple queries and generate reports for their own use and operational managers; and, the end user programmers who can develop their own applications. Recent advancements in technology and the rise of the Web 2.0 has enabled end users to perform activities such as modification and creation of software artifacts which has enabled greater utilization of software developed by software engineers. These activities range from simple parameter customization to complex tasks such as variation and assembling of components. This process is known as End-User-Development. According to Margaret Burnett, (2009), the definition of End-User-Development as set methods, techniques and tool that allow end users who may act as non-professional software developers to create, modify or extend a software artifact. The major factor that has influenced End-user Development apart from advancements in technology and the rise of Web 2.0 is the need for familiarity with software applications. An essential requirement in many professions including medicine, surgery, biochemists, architects, statisticians and film directors if familiarity with software applications which may depend on the mastery of various collections of apps in the respective area of expertise. End user development is therefore a necessity for realization of maximal benefits through computational system modeling. Evolution is necessary because the world changes resulting into new requirements and also because skilled domain professionals change over time. Problems Organizations Face in Relation to End User Development. Many people experience difficulties during their interaction with systems that have been designed without considering the differences in cultural backgrounds, reasoning strategies and the way different people carry out their daily tasks. The creation of end user development has helped in solving these problems. However, organizations have also had some disadvantages accompanied with this co-evolution. ACM computing surveys (April 2011, Vol. 43. No. 3, Article 21), records four major demerits that organizations face. These include poor quality control, increased risk during operation, a lot of input in terms of time and labor use and loss of integration with other applications. This can lead to poor quality production and low standards productions by the organizations. These disadvantages are realized mainly because of lack of expertise in the individuals performing these tasks. System development life cycle, SDLC, is a traditional approach to modifications and creation of systems. It helps the management of an organization to review the process and degree of efficiency of the system and ensures that the completed system meets the expectations of the organization and can further the overall strategy. Quality control is compromised when individuals without knowledge of the organizations’ goals and who do not use the designed tools are used to modify these systems as they may emphasize on their own benefits rather than that of the organization. These individuals may also lack expertise to observe high quality control. Data control may also be a disadvantage in the end user model as it is hard to control the access to data reliably compared to traditional system development where data concerning the organization is only accessible to designated experts who work as a team which is under close supervision. Also systems developed by end users are often underdeveloped due to lack of expertise of users to utilize the most appropriate tools. Other disadvantages include; development of short-lived systems due to inadequate documentation and support, lack of organizational focus which creates systems that are privatized, and, development of subpar systems due to insufficient analysis and design which may fail to fully serve the organization. Problems in the Creation of Spreadsheet in Excel The spreadsheet is the most EUP tool used worldwide (Peter Hornsby, 2009). This is because many of its users feel comfortable to enter, manipulate and display the output of their data using the available functionality. Studies have shown that spreadsheets still remain popular although there can be serious deficiencies in the quality of work or output of many spreadsheet applications with approximately 95% of financial models based on the spreadsheet applications. High popularity can be attributed to; easy availability as they are part of the suite of applications in many computers, immediate response which enables users to get feedback instantly therefore bypass conventional compiled programming languages such as the test cycle/compile, users can also transfer skills learnt on spreadsheet to one another, and, importantly, users can focus solving their challenges using tools designed around their needs. However, individuals face a lot of problems in their creation of spreadsheets which may affect the outcome of their work. Struggling to Excel; A Field study of Challenges Faced by Spreadsheet Users explains the evolution of spreadsheet far beyond their usage as simple calculation engine known as VisiCalc which first appeared approximately 30 years ago. This major shift from pure calculation has enabled data visualization and exploration as early as 1983. Today, this shift is evident in the predominant editor, called excel, which has enabled an array of graphing and data analysis features usable. However, individuals continue experiencing problems in these features. The major problem that people face is wading through the complexity of the excel to find the desired features as indicated by the study Struggling to Excel; A Field study of Challenges Faced by Spreadsheet Users, pg 7. In the same study, however, selection barrier – a label for barriers of novice Visual Basic programmers, this problem was much lower at 10% compared to 20% in the earlier scenario. Another difficulty as noted in the same study is design barriers which are related to decomposition of a problem. This accounts up to 3% of the total of programmers difficulties. This class is the same as the problem setup code which in this study accounted for approximately 20% of the forum threads. Other difficulties are mainly related to understanding, coordinating, using and evaluation of features. These include; users presenting their data asking the best way chart it or present it because they cannot find the specific functionality or cannot modify their chart settings, problems dealing with use of macros such as debugging and invoking, dealing with use of advanced data visualization features including pivot tables, problems in excel setting including color or startup toolbars and problems in formulation of formulas. In data entry problems included; use of spreadsheets that have large amounts of data, numerical, which may at times be tubular in structure and use of spreadsheet consisting predominantly of charts with numerical data with few formulas or texts and no from widgets. Strategies that can be implemented by Management to Monitor and Control the End user Development Outsourcing has both advantages and disadvantages in an organization. Advantages include; focus on unique core competencies, it also enables an organization to exploit intellect of competitors in the business, organization is in a better position to predict future costs and reduce costs, acquire cutting-edge technology and improve on performance accountability. The disadvantage of the same can have longstanding effects on the organization too. They include reduced technical knowledge which can be useful for future innovation, it also reduces the degree of control as it increases vulnerability of information and dependency on other organizations which may not be easily accessible at times. End user-development should therefore be encouraged and monitored to reduce its disadvantages by the management of organizations so as to realize their full potential. Strategies that can be implemented by organizations to include acceleration, where there is few limitations by management so as to encourage users to acquire and learn how to use end users technologies; containment in which specific controls are in place for development , backup and security and restricted to standard tool purchases; controlled growth where there is high expansion capacity and control, balanced approach that allows expansion, it may also give an option to new end users to choose between acceleration and containment and training in the use of applications or tools and systems that are used in development. Other strategies that can be implemented include sustainability review, set standard for developments, guidance from EU personnel, software and data audits and ensuring corporate data security. Bibliography Carmelo Ardito , MF Costabile, M De Marsico, R Lanzilotti. (2012). Journal of Visual Languages and Computing 23 78-90. University of Bari Aldo Moro Margaret Burnett (2009). What Is Ende-User Software and why does it Matter?. Oregon State University, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Corvallis USA ACM computing surveys. (April 2011). The State of the Art in End-User Software Engineering. Vol. 43. No. 3, Article 21 Peter Hornsby, (). Empowering Users to Create Their Own Software. Hornsby, P. (August 3, 2009). Empowering Users to Create Their Own Software. :: UXmatters. Retrieved September 6, 2014, fromhttp://www.uxmatters.com/mt/archives/2009/08/empowering-users-to-create-their-own-software.php Struggling to Excel; A Field study of Challenges Faced by Spreadsheet Users, pg 7 Robert DeMichiell, 1-o2-25, Strategic Planning for Acquiring and Managing Computer. Fairfield University, Fairfield, CT Margaret Burnett, (2009), What Is Ende-User Software and Why does it Matter?, Oregon State University, School of Engineering and Computer Science, Corvallis USA Read More