Introduction
Hiring people for the various phases of a software development project based on their personality type can be important to a successful outcome. Researchers recently completed a study that maps software-development tasks and skill requirements with personality traits defined in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a well-known instrument for measuring and understanding individual personality types.
Research
The researchers analyzed software-engineering job descriptions, determined the preferable skills, related those to soft skill requirements, and then focused on those rated as desirable or highly desirable. They then related those skill descriptions to the MBTI personality dimensions.
Findings
They found and outlined appropriate personality types for each phase of software engineering: design, programming, testing and maintenance.
Recommendations
While the researchers emphasize that no single personality type fits the wide spectrum of tasks associated with software engineering, they do recommend that organizations should use the psychology behind software engineering to help them diversify the personality types among their software engineers.
