A survey on software maintenance practices in Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the practice of software maintenance in Kenya. The need for the study arose from the fact that many firms in Kenya are heavily relying on K'T for business. K'T requires software to function. However software requires maintenance due to changes in technology and firms. The study covers background information, different types of software maintenance, the process followed in software maintenance, the tools used as well as the challenges encountered in software maintenance. The main objective of the study was to establish the practice of software maintenance in Kenya specifically to determine the level of importance placed on the different types of software maintenance, the processes and tools used to undertake software maintenance by firms and the challenges encountered in software maintenance. A survey design was used for data collection from 53 leT consultants and the data was collected using questionnaires. These were administered using a "drop and pick later" basis. Data was analyzed using frequencies; means; factor analysis techniques and standard deviation. The data was presented using tables accompanied by discussions. Analysis revealed that majority of the firms undertook corrective maintenance followed by adaptive maintenance and perfective maintenance. Firms undertook software maintenance process activities to a moderate extent, although tools were used to a small extent. Several challenges were experienced although the major challenges were lack of management support and resources, lack of experienced staff as well as poor system testing. The least faced challenges were how the software was developed, in-house politics of contracting company and high software maintenance costs. In conclusion it is seen that firms undertake one form or other of software maintenance although majority of the firms undertake corrective maintenance. Firms also undertake software maintenance process activities to a moderate extent. Software maintenance tools are used to a very small extent by firms. However as firms undertake software maintenance, they encounter several challenges and the major challenge being lack of management support and resources.