Distributed Cognition in Software Design: An Experimental Investigation of the Role of Design Patterns and Collaboration

摘要: Software design is a knowledge intensive task that constitutes critical part of the software development process. Using controlled experiment involving practitioners, this research examines two potentially useful mechanisms for improving Specifically, study impact structural distribution cognition through patterns and social collaborating pairs on outcomes. The results indicate use as external cognitive artifacts improves quality, reduces time taken to solve problem, leads higher participant satisfaction. Collaborating designers were compared participants working alone but whose efforts conjointly considered best second-best members nominal pairs. It was found paired produced quality designs with pairs, did not differ from member pair, took more complete than either pair. also availability raises performance level in terms completion when pair using patterns. Finally, experience levels satisfaction individuals. Implications practice are discussed.