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A Systems Thinking Approach to Improve Sustainability in Software Engineering—A Grounded Capability Maturity Framework

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  • Gopalakrishnan Sriraman

    (School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University, Sehore 466114, India)

  • Shriram Raghunathan

    (School of Computing Science and Engineering, VIT Bhopal University, Sehore 466114, India)

Abstract

Sustainability has become a critical issue for the software industry as the environmental impact of software development and use increases. To address this issue, organizations need a framework for developing and accessing sustainable software practices. In this study, we reviewed the existing literature, models, and practices in this domain as well as carried out surveys and interviews to understand the reality, practices, and challenges on the ground. We identified a set of research questions to discover why sustainability is important, what actions can be taken to improve it, and how and when they can be implemented. This study highlighted the limitations of existing models and the need to address the research gaps. Existing research is limited by a narrow focus on specific domains such as the environment and energy or a specific phase of software development. We aim to address these through the proposed comprehensive software sustainability capability framework (SSCF), which provides a “ready reckoner”, allowing any organization to assess their current software sustainability and the capabilities and metrics they could focus on to improve sustainable software maturity. This paper also provides detailed assessment criteria, metrics, and a roadmap that can be used by any software organization to enhance their sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Gopalakrishnan Sriraman & Shriram Raghunathan, 2023. "A Systems Thinking Approach to Improve Sustainability in Software Engineering—A Grounded Capability Maturity Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:11:p:8766-:d:1158679
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jakub Swacha, 2022. "Models of Sustainable Software: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-12, January.
    2. Meir Russ, 2021. "Knowledge Management for Sustainable Development in the Era of Continuously Accelerating Technological Revolutions: A Framework and Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-32, March.
    3. Christian Fuchs, 2008. "The implications of new information and communication technologies for sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 291-309, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Buerian Soongpol & Paniti Netinant & Meennapa Rukhiran, 2024. "Practical Sustainable Software Development in Architectural Flexibility for Energy Efficiency Using the Extended Agile Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-37, July.
    2. Cristian Fagarasan & Ciprian Cristea & Maria Cristea & Ovidiu Popa & Adrian Pisla, 2023. "Integrating Sustainability Metrics into Project and Portfolio Performance Assessment in Agile Software Development: A Data-Driven Scoring Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-25, August.

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