The Role of Project Modularity in Information Systems Development

Recent surveys have shown that ISD project success rates are particularly low. Organizations are applying a wide array of information systems development methodologies (ISDMs) -- both plan-based and agile, such as waterfall, scrum and XP -- to improve information systems development (ISD) performance. However, as ISD projects often have different characteristics such as size, scope and complexity, prior studies have been focused on helping organizations better choose an ISDM for projects. Nevertheless, prior research has not taken into consideration the notion of problem modularity of ISD projects. In this study, we utilize the NK fitness landscapes model to computationally examine via computer simulations the effects of problem modularity alongside various project environmental factors, and aim to answer the question: under various environmental factors, which ISDM should an ISD team adopt under various degree of problem modularity