Human aspects: the missing link of software engineering

There are four major components which together make up an information system-hardware, software, methodology and people. Over the years there has been a gradual improvement in the ability to construct such systems, first by developing reliable hardware, second by developing effective programming languages, and third by the use of well-grounded development methodologies. To date there has been a lack of emphasis in software engineering of the people component of an information system. This paper examines the reasons for this, the consequences that flow from this lack of emphasis, and suggestions for changes in software engineering curricula