MANAGING COMPLEXITY BY SUPPORTING KNOWLEDGE GROWTH IN DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Henrik Gedenryd · 1993
A cognitive design theory is introduced, together with a set of tools for software development, based on the theo retical principles. The theory springs out of an analysis of the role of domain-specific knowledge, and how it develops in design and development projects that deal with complex target domains. It is shown that expert performance depends heavily on elaborate domain-specific knowledge. Two metaphors are introduced to explain how individuals develop their knowledge and skills: “from novice to expert, ” and “the person as an informal scientist. ” Because of the inherent complexity in large projects, participants ’ domain-specific knowledge evolves throughout their entire duration. The design process should adapt to the conditions of knowledge growth, since the project’s success depends highly on it. Such a condition is that knowledge is immature and incomplete for quite some time. Furthermore, the design process should continuously support the growth of knowledge. The set of tools described addresses these issues in software development projects. It uses demonstrational programming methods, as well as programming-with-examples. The introduced theory affirms the cognitive value of these techniques, and also serves as a framework for understanding iterative design.