Sustainability in software products and services development

Abstract

Context: This thesis explores the connection between sustainability and software development with the goal of promoting sustainable practices within the industry. The concept of sustainability in software systems is relatively new, and developers and companies are working hard to incorporate it into their processes. However, its multifaceted nature, with various definitions and dimensions, makes it challenging to implement and evaluate. This complexity is hindering its widespread adoption in the software industry.

Objectives: The primary goal is to create a sustainability framework that integrates sustainability considerations into the conscious design decisions of software products and services development, using an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company as a case study for application and testing.

Results: The result is a framework that assists in incorporating sustainability considerations early in the software development stages. The framework aims to guide future design decisions and offer practical strategies for software development practitioners and ICT companies to effectively adopt sustainable practices.

Outcome: Overall, the framework will enable companies to seamlessly integrate sustainability into the software development process and assess the sustainability of their software products from economic, environmental, social, individual and technological perspectives. The study is expected to provide valuable insights and actionable recommendations to advance sustainability within the software development industry, promoting a more sustainable approach.