Ethics, Values, and Requirements Engineering: What, Why and How
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The document discusses the integration of ethics and values into software engineering, emphasizing the distinction between vague ethics and concrete requirements. It suggests methods for incorporating values into agile development practices, such as embedding values in user stories and prioritizing values in the product backlog. The importance of considering values is highlighted, noting that failing to do so can have financial repercussions and that the software industry has a moral obligation to address these concerns.
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Ethics, Values, and Requirements Engineering: What, Why and How
- 1. Ethics, Values and Requirements Engineering: What, Why and How Jon Whittle CSIRO’s Data61 and Faculty of IT, Monash University MONASH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY @Jon_Whittle_
- 2. A history of software engineering… http://stg-tud.github.io/sedc/Lecture/ws13-14/1-Introduction- General.html#mode=document
- 3. Software Engineering now Values & ethics in software engineering functionality, cost, safety, security, privacy Inclusion, diversity, responsibility, transparency, well-being, fairness, respect
- 4. Key challenge: ethics/values are vague, requirements are not https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Our_Lady_of_Europe_into_the_fog.jpg
- 5. [aside] values and ethics are not the same
- 6. Does the software industry consider values? Developers don’t think values are their responsibility Wide spectrum of values maturity Values are thought of as a cultural issue A very small subset of values are considered Cutting edge research hardly considers it at all
- 7. Incorporating values into agile methods: evolution not revolution
- 8. How to embed values thinking in agile Values Statements User Stories → Values Stories Artefacts Roles Values Champion/Critical Friend Values Translator Culture Psychological safety Hire for Values Ceremonies Values-based planning Values-based backlog Values Retrospectives 3rd Pillar Calls
- 9. EPIC EXAMPLE Provide HR with a way to quickly assess and prioritize online job applications and communicate decisions to applicants
- 10. USER STORY 1 As an assessor of applications, I want to view all relevant details of an application so that I can make informed decisions
- 11. PRODUCT BACKLOG Prioritize based on what is the MVP/what do we need to show the customer; what is feasible within this sprint USER STORY 1 > USER STORY 2 > USER STORY 3
- 12. VALUES 1. Agree/Prioritize values for the epic 2. Revisit the epic/user stories with a ‘values lens’ 3. Possibly reprioritize product backlog
- 13. VALUES ELICITATION Inclusiveness - Application process doesn’t discriminate in terms of access, efficiency, or decision-making Respect - Applicants feel cared for and respected and are provided with timely decisions with useful feedback where appropriate Hiring Excellence - The organisation ultimately hires the best person for the job
- 14. EPIC EXAMPLE (VALUEFIED) Provide HR with a way to quickly assess and prioritize top online job applications and to respectfully communicate decisions in a timely fashion to applicants, regardless of their gender, ethnicity, or physical/mental challenges
- 15. USER STORY 1 (VALUEFIED) Story: As an assessor of applications, I want to view all relevant details of an application so that I can make informed decisions and feel like I have treated everyone fairly Relevant values: Inclusiveness, Hiring Excellence Contextual value definitions: Inclusiveness Hiring Excellence ● Parental leave ● Indigenous status ● Any language barriers ● n/a
- 16. PRODUCT BACKLOG (VALUEFIED) Prioritize based on what is the MVP/what do we need to show the customer; what is feasible within this sprint USER STORY 1 > USER STORY 2 > USER STORY 3 Lead to new user stories? Split User Story 1 to add US1.1 on user interface features for inclusive Reprioritize User Story 1.1 > User Story 1 > …
- 17. What is the value of values? Software industry has a moral obligation Values will increasingly be regulated Values can give a competitive advantage Failure to consider values can have negative financial implications