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The Online Controlled Experiment Lifecycle
Malmö University, Faculty of Technology and Society (TS), Department of Computer Science and Media Technology (DVMT).ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4908-2708
Outreach, Seattle, WA, United States.
Malmö University, Faculty of Technology and Society (TS), Department of Computer Science and Media Technology (DVMT).ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7700-1816
Software Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, Sweden.
2020 (English)In: IEEE Software, ISSN 0740-7459, E-ISSN 1937-4194, Vol. 37, no 2, p. 60-67Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Online Controlled Experiments (OCEs) enable an accurate understanding of customer value and generate millions of dollars of additional revenue at Microsoft. Unlike other techniques for learning from customers, OCEs establish an accurate and causal relationship between a change and the impact observed. Although previous research describes technical and statistical dimensions, the key phases of online experimentation are not widely known, their impact and importance are obscure, and how to establish OCEs in an organization is underexplored. In this paper, using a longitudinal in-depth case study, we address this gap by (1) presenting the Experiment Lifecycle, and (2) demonstrating with four example experiments their profound impact. We show that OECs help optimize infrastructure needs and aid in project planning and measuring team efforts, in addition to their primary goal of accurately identifying what customers value. We conclude that product development should fully integrate the Experiment Lifecycle to benefit from the OCEs.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
IEEE, 2020. Vol. 37, no 2, p. 60-67
Keywords [en]
Measurement, Companies, Software, Computer science, Product development, Media, Planning, Data-driven development, A/B tests, Online Controlled Experiments, experiment lifecycle
National Category
Software Engineering
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-2309DOI: 10.1109/MS.2018.2875842ISI: 000520152900011Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85055195833Local ID: 28040OAI: oai:DiVA.org:mau-2309DiVA, id: diva2:1399062
Available from: 2020-02-27 Created: 2020-02-27 Last updated: 2024-06-17Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Data-Driven Software Development at Large Scale: from Ad-Hoc Data Collection to Trustworthy Experimentation
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Data-Driven Software Development at Large Scale: from Ad-Hoc Data Collection to Trustworthy Experimentation
2018 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Accurately learning what customers value is critical for the success of every company. Despite the extensive research on identifying customer preferences, only a handful of software companies succeed in becoming truly data-driven at scale. Benefiting from novel approaches such as experimentation in addition to the traditional feedback collection is challenging, yet tremendously impactful when performed correctly. In this thesis, we explore how software companies evolve from data-collectors with ad-hoc benefits, to trustworthy data-driven decision makers at scale. We base our work on a 3.5-year longitudinal multiple-case study research with companies working in both embedded systems domain (e.g. engineering connected vehicles, surveillance systems, etc.) as well as in the online domain (e.g. developing search engines, mobile applications, etc.). The contribution of this thesis is three-fold. First, we present how software companies use data to learn from customers. Second, we show how to adopt and evolve controlled experimentation to become more accurate in learning what customers value. Finally, we provide detailed guidelines that can be used by companies to improve their experimentation capabilities. With our work, we aim to empower software companies to become truly data-driven at scale through trustworthy experimentation. Ultimately this should lead to better software products and services.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Malmö university, Faculty of Technology and society, 2018. p. 357
Series
Studies in Computer Science ; 6
National Category
Engineering and Technology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-7768 (URN)10.24834/2043/24873 (DOI)24873 (Local ID)9789171049186 (ISBN)9789171049193 (ISBN)24873 (Archive number)24873 (OAI)
Public defence
2018-06-15, NI:B0E07, Nordenskiöldsgatan 1, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Note

In reference to IEEE copyrighted material which is used with permission in this thesis, the IEEE does not endorse any of Malmö University's products or services. Internal or personal use of this material is permitted. If interested in reprinting/republishing IEEE copyrighted material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution, please go to http://www.ieee.org/publications_standards/publications/rights/rights_link.html to learn how to obtain a License from RightsLink.

Available from: 2020-02-28 Created: 2020-02-28 Last updated: 2024-04-04Bibliographically approved

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Publisher's full textScopushttps://www.computer.org/csdl/magazine/so/5555/01/08501922/14ArjyA3D0Y

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Fabijan, AleksanderOlsson Holmström, Helena

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