Enabling Promethean Leaps: An Examination of Storytelling Techniques in Information Systems Development

People have used storytelling throughout history to instigate transformative change. Accordingly, one should expect as much of narrative techniques in information systems development (ISD) such as epics, user stories, and personas. However, existing research has focused on these techniques’ operational aspects rather than their potential for transformation or the extent to which they currently aid true transformative change in ISD. This study draws on the myth of Prometheus—the Greek god often used as a metaphorical symbol of technology’s radically innovative, transformative power. Expert interviews are used to develop Promethean principles that can be used to evaluate the transformative potential of narrative ISD techniques. It also identifies factors that undermine the practicality of such a Promethean lens

Project Failure en Mass: A Study of Loose Budgetary Control in ISD Projects

This paper investigates the tightness of budgetary control over projects in a large systems development multinational. This represents a case of extreme ISD failure en mass, where all but 2 of the 22 projects in a business unit went over budget, causing senior executives to refocus their strategic priorities and cancel all current and potential projects that followed. This study focuses specifically on the two best performing (12% and 4% under-budget) and worst performing (223% and 320% over budget) of these projects. Using a framework drawn from control systems theory, this study examines the \u27tightness\u27 of budgetary control that was exerted over each project, and what was done or could have been done to avert such failure. The study then identifies a set of emerging factors affecting tight budgetary control in ISD

A Study of Loose Budgetary Control in ISD Projects

This paper investigates the tightness of budgetary control over projects in a large systems development multinational. This represents a case of extreme ISD failure en mass, where all but 2 of the 22 projects in a business unit went over budget, causing senior executives to refocus their strategic priorities and cancel all current and potential projects that followed. This study focuses specifically on the two best performing (12% and 4% underbudget) and worst performing (223% and 320% over budget) of these projects. Using a framework drawn from control systems theory, this study examines the ‘tightness’ of budgetary control that was exerted over each project, and what was done or could have been done to avert such failure. The study then identifies a set of emerging factors affecting tight budgetary control in ISD

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ADVICE NETWORKS IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

The demand for software-enabled products and services continus unabated in almost all facets of life. With this increasing demand comes an intense pressure on the developers of software to be innovative in all aspects. While researchers have examined how a variety of individual, group, and organizational factors shape innovation in information systems development, the role of advice networks has received limited consideration to date. A greater understanding of advice network structures in software development is important as numerous studies from the social network tradition demonstrate that advice seeking behaviors play a key role in people´s ability to do their jobs effectively. Drawing from social network theory, we develop a number of hypotheses relating the structure of a software developer´s advice network for technological developments to personal innovativeness. To test these hypotheses, social network analysis and interview data will be gathered from a software development division of a large organization

FINDING THE EDGE OF CHAOS: A COMPLEX ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS APPROACH TO INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

While there is an increasing focus on project portfolio management in dynamic environments, the bulk of existing research focuses on control on stability, ignoring the complexity and change inherent in contemporary information systems projects. Using a longitudinal exploratory case study, this research in progress seeks to extend the field of information systems project portfolio management (IS PPM) to dynamic environments. Firstly, complex adaptive systems theory is used as a lens to identify the different attractor states in which IS PPM can exist. Secondly, by uncovering the forces and factors that enable IS PPPM to switch states as it searches for an appropriate balance between order and chaos, it will develop a CAS based approach to dynamic IS PPM. It will contribute to practice by highlighting shortcomings in existing approaches to project portfolio management and by presenting alternative approaches that can help portfolio managers to create non-linear improvements in portfolio performance and adaptiveness

IT-enabled change into the structures of health information systems in Africa: A case study in Kenya

Agile software development methods have emerged in recent years and have become increasingly popular since the start of the century. While much research claims to study agile methods, the meaning of agility itself in software development is yet to be fully understood. Agility is viewed by some as the antithesis of plan, structure discipline and bureaucracy. This study aims to develop a better understanding of agility, using the key concepts of Complex Adaptive Systems as a theoretical lens. The study explores agility from several different angles, including autonomous team, stability and uncertainty, and team learning. A multiple case study research method was employed. The findings of the study emphasize that agility is manifested as stability and discipline, which are just as desirable as flexibility, and context sharing is of the same value and importance as knowledge sharing. In addition, the collective nature of learning is underlined

Applying Normalization Process Theory to Explain Large-Scale Agile Transformation

Given the prevalence and effectiveness of agile methods at a team level, large organizations are now attempting to mimic this success at large-scale by adopting large-scale methods such as Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Spotify, and Large-Scale Scrum (LeSS). However, compared to insights on traditionally small-scale methods, the extant literature provides sparse coverage on theories to examine large-scale agile transformations. In this article, we focus on the challenge of normalizing large-scale agile transformations and apply Normalization Process Theory (NPT) to support theorize about this process. We present our initial case study findings and outline future research on the application of NPT for large-scale transformations. From a research and practice perspective, we explain how NPT can be adopted to focus on the processes of embedding and sustaining practices – activities which are very often ignored, yet central to the success or failure of transformations

Examining the Benefits of Cloud Technologies

The rapid emergence, prevalence and potential impact of cloud computing has sparked a significant amount of interest amongst IS and IT industry and research. In wide ranging surveys of CTOs worldwide, cloud computing first appeared on the list of “Key Technology Applications and Investments” at 17th in 2009, but jumped to 2nd place when the same survey was carried out a year later (see Luftman and Zadeh, 2011). Reports of the size and value of the cloud computing services market vary, but despite the rapid emergence of cloud computing, the academic literature surrounding the benefits of cloud adoption is quite limited, as despite a small amount of research, the body of knowledge relies heavily on anecdotal evidence found mainly in white papers, web articles, technical reports and practitioner papers. In addressing this gap, we draw on a field study of ten organisations to provide an insight into cloud computing adoption by focusing on the key benefits associated with implementation in organisations

Portfolios of Agile Projects: A Complex Adaptive Systems’ Agent Perspective

While agile methods can be extremely effective at a project level, they can impose significant complexity and a need for adaptiveness at the project portfolio level. While this has proven to be highly problematic, there is little research on how to manage a set of agile projects at the project portfolio level. What limited research that does exist often assumes that portfolio-level agility can be achieved by simply scaling project level agile methods such as Scrum. This study uses a complex adaptive systems lens, focusing specifically on the properties of projects as agents in a complex adaptive portfolio to critically appraise current thinking on portfolio management in an agile context. We then draw on a set of 30 expert interviews to develop 16 CAS-based propositions as to how portfolios of agile projects can be managed effectively. We also outline an agenda for future research and discuss the differences between a CAS-based approach to portfolio management and traditional approaches

Assimilation of the Cloud: Challenges to Acceptance, Routinisation and Infusion of Cloud Computing

This study goes beyond a binary view of adoption and instead examines the more complex nature of cloud computing assimilation. It examines (i) acceptance, the extent to which an organisation’s members are committed to the adoption, (ii) routinisation, the extent to which the use of cloud becomes a normal activity, and (iii) infusion, the extent to which more features of the cloud are used than originally planned, the extent to which use is sophisticated, and the extent to which use is emergent. Drawing on 3 case studies, this study will contribute to the existing cloud technologies literature that does not address the complex and multi-faceted nature of adoption. Secondly, it will provide an insight into cloud computing adoption by focusing on the benefits and challenges associated with implementation in organisations. Thirdly, we also seek to develop a set of recommended practices for overcoming such barriers to adoption