Software Crisis, What Software Crisis?

The popular explanation for software development challenges and failures is that the software industry is immature and software is complex. However, historical evidence suggests that software development can be highly successful, especially in the pre-packaged software (PPSW) sector. The software challenges are usually associated with information systems development (ISD) projects for developing custom-build software (CBSW). This paper argues that in order to effectively tackle the software crisis, it is important to separate CBSW from PPSW for consideration. Based on the dichotomy of the software industry, this paper presents a new explanation for the software crisis. A client in ISD projects usually engages with its supplier(s) through a competitive-bidding-monopolized-development. Such a process potentially reduces creativity vital for software development. The paper points out the implications of this explanation and poses a number of further research questions.