Towards a comprehensive framework for enablers and inhibitors of bad news reporting on software projects in state universities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Software project status reporting is critical in software project management, yet team members often find it easier to report positive news than negative progress. This research investigates the ‘mum effect’, which refers to the reluctance to report bad news on software projects by project team members. Silence on project bad news has remained a major contributor to project failure in higher learning institutions. This study, therefore, aimed to come up with a framework for the inhibitors and enablers of bad news reporting by project team members on specific academic and administrative software projects within state universities in Zimbabwe. Naturally, it is easier to report positive news than negative progress encountered during the software project life cycle. Following a qualitative, multiple-holistic case study approach, this research employed focus group discussions and key informant interviews with project managers, team members, and system users from three state universities in Zimbabwe. The findings indicate that the main enablers of bad news reporting include open communication, a positive organisational culture, and feedback and motivation to achieve. On the other hand, the results suggest that the main inhibitors of bad news reporting include a lack of communication, fear of punishment, an unfair distribution of work, and a lack of skills. The findings of this study can help institutions understand the dynamics at play in status reporting for software projects. Results from this study contribute to the body of knowledge theoretically and, practically, to status reporting on software project development in institutions of higher learning. This reduces the chances of software project failure and escalation.