Tools
Tools
Woo, Fleming K. M. (2007) A framework for the effective selection and adoption of systems development methodologies in organisations. Doctoral thesis, London Metropolitan University.
With the adoption of information systems development methodologies (ISDMs), organisations are often expected to achieve a significant level of improvement in software quality, productivity and project manageability. However, the results of the present study showed that the adoption of ISDMs in organisations is vastly inadequate. There is a lack of strong theoretical underpinning to help organisations select and adopt the most appropriate tools, techniques, software processes and programming paradigms which take account of the types of systems being developed and the unique characteristics of specific organisations. This research was conducted as a cross-institutional field study involving many organisations. The major data collection techniques were centred on two rounds of questionnaire surveys, along with follow-up interviews. By analysing existing models and frameworks from publications and electronic resources, examining survey results and observing interview responses, an easy-to-use checklist is developed to help management assess whether their organisations are ready and well prepared to effectively adopt new ISDMs. The research findings also indicated that strong management support in terms of organisational strategies, systems development strategies, support to systems developers and professional development opportunities are important factors affecting the effective adoption of ISDMs. In relation to this and with further references to other well known models and frameworks, an organisation support framework is proposed to help organisations institutionalize and adopt ISDMs tailored for their specific environment. Based on the findings from the existing literature and survey data explaining why ISDMs are being adopted or not, a comprehensive ISDM selection and adoption framework is proposed where tools, techniques and software processes are considered from the perspectives of the industry, organisations, projects, software products and individual developers. The proposed framework not only helps management to make informed decisions on the selection and adoption of the ISDM for their organisation, but could also help them implement the selected ISDMs, with proper attention given to their organisations' unique characteristics. As new ISDMs continue to emerge without slacking, its appropriate adoption should be regarded as an ongoing process in organisations. The results of this study contribute to assist managers in identifying their strengths, weaknesses and readiness in ISDM adoption, guiding them through the adoption process and facilitating the continuous review of past, present and future needs for new methodologies in their organisations.
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