Software Development on Internet Time

• Authors: Michael A. Cusumano;David B. Yoffie
• Venue: Computer
• Year: 1999

There is probably little debate that Internet software companies must use more flexible development techniques and introduce new products faster than companies with more stable technology, established customer needs, and longer product cycles. Internet and PC software firms favor a more flexible style. The basic idea is to give programmers the autonomy to evolve designs iteratively but to force team members to synchronize their work frequently and then periodically stabilize their design changes or feature innovations. Studying two companies, the authors found that Netscape was using a version of the Microsoft-style synchronize and stabilize process for PC software, but adapting it to build Internet browser and server products. They also found that Microsoft's Internet groups were modifying their standard process to increase development speed and flexibility. The goal was to balance flexibility and speed with professional engineering discipline.