An integration of systems science methods and object-oriented analysis for determining organizational information requirements

Abstract

This research explores how systems science and an object-oriented methodology can be used together to increase the effectiveness of organizational requirements analysis for information systems (IS) development. Organizational failure of IS development is defined as a gap between what the users expect from an information provision system and how well these expectations are met by the perceived performance of the delivered system. Problems leading to this expectation - perception gap are identified and modelled as five interrelated discrepancies or gaps throughout the process of IS development. These gaps could be bridged by using systems science methods and object-oriented analysis. A wider framework which incorporates elements of both methodologies is formulated and applied to a real-world case. Lessons are generated from reflections upon what has been done and how it was done. Possible ways to integrate object-oriented analysis with systems science methods are suggested. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.