Knowledge transfer in global software development: leveraging acceptance test case specifications

Effective knowledge transfer (KT) is always important in software development projects, but crucial in global software development (GSD). Two challenges arise: First, reviews of the software requirements specification (SRS) are indispensable, but not always effective. Second, using knowledge representations that support KT from customers to developers is paramount. However, ´classical´ SRS often don´t support SRS comprehension of all stakeholders. We address these two challenges with a new approach that exploits the multi-fold power of a acceptance test case specifications (ATC-Specs): 1) A specific two-stage test-based review technique is used. We argue that these two-stage reviews of ATC-Specs increase the quality of the ATC-Specs and the SRS. 2) Additionally to the SRS, ATC-Specs are delivered to the offshore team, bridging the mental models of different stakeholders, and thus effectively transferring knowledge. We provide preliminary evidence of the validity of our approach based on a commercial GSD project at Capgemini SD&M.