Why We Need Empirical Information on Best Practices

Best practices are widely recommended as a way to improve organizational performance, especially in software-related endeavors. This article takes a skeptical view of the current way best practices are identified and prescribed. It identifies relevant information that is often missing from best practice discussions and recommends an alternative approach to gathering, evaluating, and applying that information. In the history of software development and acquisition, one of the most often prescribed curatives for their continuing infirmities, aches, and agues is the identification and implementation of best practices. Of course, the notion of what defines a best practice is not clear. Some best practices, for example configuration or risk management, are actually disciplines seen as crucial to success. Other best practices are broad approaches or philosophie