The quality of a product is commonly defined by its ability to satisfy stakeholder needs and expectations. Therefore, it is important to find, select, and plan the content of a software product to maximize the value for internal and external stakeholders. This process is traditionally referred to as requirements engineering in the software industry, while it is often referred to as product management in industries with a larger market focus. As an increasing number of software products are delivered to a market instead of single customers, the need for product management in software companies is increasing. As a side effect, the need for mechanisms supporting decisions regarding | FOR SOFTWARE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT EVOLVING PRIORITIZATION ABSTRACT The quality of a product is commonly defined by negotiation, where decisions about what and when its ability to satisfy stakeholder needs and expecta- to develop are made. EVOLVING PRIORITIZATION FOR tions. Therefore, it is important to find, select, and plan the content of a software product to maximi- This thesis primarily focuses on evolving the cur- SOFTWARE PRODUCT MANAGEMENT ze the value for internal and external stakeholders. rent body of knowledge in relation to release This process is traditionally referred to as require- planning in general and requirements prioritiza- ments engineering in the software industry, while tion in particular. The research is carried out by it is often referred to as product management in performing qualitative and quantitative studies in industries with a larger market focus. As an incre- industrial and academic environments with an em- asing number of software products are delivered pirical focus. Each of the presented studies has its to a market instead of single customers, the need own focus and scope while together contributing for product management in software companies to the research area. Together they answer ques- is increasing. As a side effect, the need for mecha- tions about why and how requirements prioritiza- nisms supporting decisions regarding the content tion should be conducted, as well as what aspects Patrik Berander of software products also increases. should be taken into account when making deci- sions about the content of products. While decision-support within requirements engi- neering and product management is a broad area, The primary objective of the thesis is to give gui- requirements prioritization together with release delines on how to evolve requirements prioriti- planning and negotiation are considered as some zation to better facilitate decisions regarding the of the most important decision activities. This is content of software
