Current Practices in Information Systems Development Tools and Techniques (original) (raw)
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Information systems development: methodologies, techniques and tools
2003
This paper first provides a historical perspective on approaches to developing infonnation systems and argues that there are major weaknesses associated with the conventional waterfall model and the methodologies which followed. The paper suggests that a contingency approach to information systems development has much to offer and looks at Multiview, which is described as an exploration in infom1ation systems development. Some strengths and weaknesses of this contingency approach an~ highlighted and a new version of Multi view offered. This description enahles a further discussion of infom1ation systems development and suggests that human and organisational aspect are at least as important as the technical ones which tend to he emphasised. Information systems development is seen as first a social process, though it will contain technical aspects. This social process is examined in more detail illustrating the arguments, for example, with different views of the systems analyst and the problem situation in this process. Such a broad approach also suggests that the area of which infom1ation systems development is a part, is multi-disciplinary where technology and computing are hy no means dominant.
An Investigation of the Use of Methods within Information Systems Development Projects
The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries
The development of information systems has always been and remains a volatile environment. Practitioners and researchers within the field of information systems development (ISD) have put forward a number of different ideas over the past thirty years to better monitor and control the process. The use of traditional ISD methods has been one such idea that has not only achieved widespread application but has garnered many criticisms regarding its application. This study seeks to investigate whether these criticisms are supported in terms of how present day organizations utilize traditional ISD methods in light of the increased diversity and sophistication of ISD projects. The findings of the study i ndicate that whilst methods are considered an integral part of the majority of development projects, they cannot be adopted without a significant amount of modification to suit individual development projects. In addition, traditional ISD methods were considered of limited use within the present ISD environment.
2007
The use and modification of Information Systems Development Methodologies has continued to be an important issue for research and practice as developers struggle to complete largescale IS development projects. Whilst there is a widespread belief that the use of an ISDM is appropriate when developing an information system, a considerable body of evidence exists to indicate that few practitioners actually use methodologies as described. Instead, ISDMs are tailored to create a unique instantiation for each project. This study explores the application of ISDMs in a large global IT company. The paper contributes to the understanding of ISDM application in two ways. Firstly, it identifies two steps in the tailoring process: a deliberate tailoring of the methodology prior to the commencement of a project based on developers’ perceptions of the project and its context; and ad hoc tailoring to meet the real, unfolding development needs of the project. Secondly, it provides a description of t...
Information System Development
Springer eBooks, 2014
The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifi c statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein.
Information System Development Methodologies
Women, Work and Computerization, 2000
This paper provides preliminary results of INDEHELA-M, a joint Finnish-Nigerian project undertaken by a prominent Nigerian software development company. The main objectives of the project are to produce empirical information and understanding of the practice and problems of information systems development (ISD) in Nigeria, and to facilitate Nigerian ISD practitioners by improved methods, techniques, practices, and education, according to their needs. Gender participation in ISD was also introduced to study the methodologies employed in ISD projects and the effect (if any) on gender participation and/or access to information technology and create gender balance awareness in Software Development Companies in Nigeria. This was to take stock and understand the factors that lead to gender segregation within information technology (IT). Despite the remarkable increase in the percentage of girls' access to education, we found that women are not present or have been assigned a marginal role in ISD projects. This paper highlights gender trends in IT education in Nigeria and identifies gender disparity in the Information System Development methodologies employed. We also documented female access to IT. The paper concludes by proposing that the way forward for women is active participation in IT in Nigeria as a proxy for other countries given the same socioeconomic environment.
A Framework for Selection of Information Systems Development Methodologies
Computer and Information Science, 2009
Information systems are increasingly becoming regarded as crucial to an organisation's success. A development methodology for an information system is a framework to organize, program and supervise the process of developing an information system. There many are different methodologies for information systems development. Obviously, no methodology can claim that it can be applied to any organisation. Therefore, organisations should have an evaluation framework for selecting an appropriate and efficient methodology. In this paper, we propose an evaluation framework for selecting information systems development methodology in order to facilitate the development process of information systems in organisations. In this work, we will describe and compare different hard and soft systems approaches at first, then in the following sections, one kind of methodology's classifications is pointed and one methodology from each class is introduced. Finally, a comparison framework is proposed and methodologies are compared by this framework. The value of this framework is that, with use of it, organisations can evaluate their development methodology with respect to the key features of it before implementing any methodology as well as expending extra costs. This framework is theoretical in nature, and is build based on a review of related literature.
A comparison of five alternative approaches to information systems development
The field of information systems (IS) has grown dramatically over the past three decades. Recent trends have transformed the IS landscape. These trends include: the evolution of implementation technology from centralized mainframe environments towards distributed client-server architectures, embracing the internet and intranets; changes in user interface technology from character-based to graphical user interfaces, multimedia, and the World Wide Web; changes in applications from transaction processing systems towards systems supporting collaborative work; and the use of information technology as an enabler of business process reengineering and redesign. These technology changes coupled with changes in organizations and their operating environment, such as the growth of the network and virtual organization, internationalization and globalization of many organizations, intensified global competition, changes in values such as customer orientation (service quality) and Quality of Working Life, have imposed new demands on the development of information systems. These changes have led to an increasing discussion about information systems development (ISO), and in particular, the various methods, tools, methodologies, and approaches for ISD. We believe such discussion has opened the door for new, alternative IS development approaches and methodologies. Our paper takes up this theme by describing five alternative ISD approaches, namely the Interactionist approach, the Speech Act-based approach, Soft Systems Methodology, the Trade Unionist approach, and the Professional Work Practices approach. Despite the fact that most of these approaches have a history of over 15 years, their relevance to IS development is not well recognized in the mainstream of IS practice and research, nor is their institutional status comparable to traditional approaches such as structured analysis and design methods. Therefore we characterize the five approaches as 'alternative' in the sense of alternative to the orthodoxy. The selection of the five approaches is essentially based on the finding that research on ISD approaches and methodologies has been dominated by a single set of philosophical assumptions regarding the nature of the phenomena studied and what constitutes valid knowledge about those phenomena . The idea behind the selection of the five ISD approaches has been to include approaches which challenge the dominant assumptions. These alternative approaches typically build upon radically different conceptions of the goals, meaning, function and processes of ISD. Part of the rationale for our paper is to meet the need of a concise yet penetrating way of introducing alternative ways of system development to a wider audience. The way in which the approaches are introduced, highlights their underlying principles and features. This naturally leads to a critical examination of their strengths and weaknesses. From this angle the paper adds more detail to the earlier work on mapping the terrain of the complex literature on IS development (cf.
Business users and the information system development process: a need to know basis
The Place of Information Technology in Management and Business Education, 1997
We discuss the growth, the benefits and risks, of business users taking a more active part in developing computerised information applications. After briefly discussing IS (information system) development management issues relating to user based IS development, we propose a framework for indicating the extent to which particular business users need to know about the process of developing IT systems. We then outline our recent research which addresses the measurement of BUD (Business User Development) success factors and identifies typical IT involvement levels of business users. We can conclude that BUD outcome effectiveness can be predicted using measures of contributing factors, a framework can be used to indicate the level of IT development process knowledge needed by business users, and that improved tool support would enable business users to be much more actively and directly involved in IS development. Given the current tool support environment, many agree that business users and managers need to be educated to acquire 'good' systems design and implementation techniques. An important assertion in this paper is that appropriately B.-Z. Barta et al. (eds.