GenAI proven to reduce task completion time by 70 per cent, says Ness-Zinnov Study

Bengaluru: Ness Digital Engineering, a global full-lifecycle digital services transformation company and KKR subsidiary, and Zinnov, a global management and strategy consulting firm, have collaborated on a comprehensive study titled "Harnessing the Power of Generative AI (GenAI) in Transforming Software Engineering Productivity." 

Although the deployment of GenAI at the engineering level is known to increase productivity, this study quantifies the real productivity advantages of such efforts. It is specifically designed to assist CTOs, CIOs, and CPOs in understanding the psychological and technological factors that influence engineering productivity as well as the long-term effects on organisational and business architecture.

The study involved more than 100 software engineers in use cases and development settings, using Ness's exclusive platform Matrix to collect data. It also included a thorough review of the engineers' actual experiences in real-world engineering scenarios.

The study found that the use of generative AI not only boosts output but also makes profoundly aided context possible, allowing businesses to easily expand their operations internationally. Better commercial outcomes, as well as a completely changed organisational design, are the result of this. Other noteworthy findings included:

70% Reduction in Task Completion Time for Existing Code Updates: Engineers witnessed maximum impact when utilising 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: Generative 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, Generative AI plays a pivotal role in creating a positive and fulfilling professional experience.

This change puts established organisational structures to the test by emphasising efficiency and competence that will be aided by technology but managed and determined by people. This will result in a workforce where problem-solving ability and domain knowledge take precedence over technological know-how.

Ranjit Tinaikar, CEO, of 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. To fully harness the power of GenAI, we collaborated with Zinnov to understand the impact of GenAI on software development and its nuances. The study serves as a guide on the impact of GenAI on product development process, organization structures, employee engagement, learning, and development."

Speaking about the study, Pari Natarajan, CEO, of Zinnov, said, "Generative AI is now integrated into software engineering workflows across many organizations, aiding in tasks like generating test cases, refactoring code, and identifying innovation opportunities. 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 CTOs and CIOs 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."