Ness-Zinnov study says GenAI also allows for deeply assisted context – enabling companies to globalize work frictionlessly.
Ness Digital Engineering global management and strategy consulting firm Zinnov have released the results of a joint study measuring the actual productivity gains resulting from deploying GenAI at an engineering level
The study Harnessing the Power of Generative AI (GenAI) in Transforming Software Engineering Productivity is pitched as helping CIOs, CTOs and CPOs understand the technology and psychological Drivers of engineering productivity and the long-term ramifications on both business and organizational design.
Utilizing Ness’s proprietary platform Matrix to collect data, the study engaged 100+ software engineers across use cases and development settings and in-depth analysis of engineers’ real-world experiences in live engineering environments.
The study revealed that GenAI implementation not only increases productivity but also allows for deeply assisted context, enabling companies to globalize work frictionlessly.
The implication of this is, the study says, not just better business outcomes but an entirely transformed organizational design.
Other key observations that emerged were:
- 70% reduction in task completion time for existing code updates: Engineers witnessed maximum impact when utilizing existing codebase functions, leading to reduced development cycle time.
- 48% reduction in task completion time for senior engineers: Senior engineers witnessed reduced task completion time and found themselves using their time to plan better and assist junior engineers.
- 10% reduction in high code complexity tasks: Gen AI enables engineers to navigate complex coding scenarios with increased efficiency, contributing to faster and more accurate resolutions.
- 70% improved engagement: By simplifying tasks and fostering a more collaborative and dynamic work environment, Gen AI plays a pivotal role in creating a positive and fulfilling professional experience.
The identified shift is said to challenge traditional organizational structures by focusing more on expertise and efficiencies that will be assisted by technology but controlled and decided by people.
This is seen as heralding the potential for a new kind of workforce – where domain expertise and problem-solving capabilities will preside over technology skills.
Ranjit Tinaikar, CEO, Ness Digital Engineering, said: “GenAI stands poised to transform the software development landscape by offering substantial productivity enhancements and expediting innovation cycles, ultimately accelerating time to market.
“However, its potential could be hindered if narrowly perceived as a mere code generation tool, a misconception prevalent in the software development realm.”
Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov, said: “This study validates the belief that Generative AI complements rather than dictates workflows, facilitating frictionless knowledge sharing and unlocking the true value of globalization.
“This has led to increased confidence among CIOs and CTOs in distributing development teams globally, with minimal impact on productivity.
“Additionally, the widespread use of Generative AI has boosted employee morale, surpassing productivity gains.
“While the potential of Generative AI is vast, limitations primarily stem from hardware costs, energy consumption and regulatory constraints.”
