USE OF DESIGN METHODS, TEAM LEADERS GOAL ORIENTATION, AND TEAM EFFECTIVENESS - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY IN SOFTWARE-DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

This article reports an empirical study on effectiveness of software d evelopment teams. It was predicted that both the extent to which desig n methods are used and team leaders' goal orientation is related to te am effectiveness. Follow-up data (6-12 months after first assessment) were available from 25 German and Swiss software development projects. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that use of design methods an d team leaders' goal orientation predicted team efficiency and changea bility of the software product. In addition, goal orientation predicte d maintaining schedule and budget. Practical implications of this stud y refer to the necessity to consider both the use of design methods an d leadership issues when aiming at effective software development proj ects.