Olga Petkova

Mixing Multiple Criteria Decision Making with soft systems thinking techniques for decision support in complex situations

This paper shares experiences of the authors with combining Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) and techniques from soft systems approaches for decision support at particular stages of complex problem solving. These are based on their involvement in three projects within the Information and Communications Technology sector. The justification for the combined use of MCDM and separate techniques from systems thinking is discussed. The contribution of this paper is in the demonstration of how combinations of methods that are parts of soft systems methodologies and MCDM may support multiple perspective representations of complex managerial problems, and in the lessons learned from the three cases.

Development of Scoring Rubrics for IS Projects as an Assessment Tool

This paper describes the experience of the authors with the development of scoring rubrics for projects in the core subjects of an Information Systems program. It presents an overview of student learning assessment issues in professional courses and the role of educational projects for that purpose. Then the steps of deriving project rubrics in different subjects across the Information Systems program are shown along with some suggestions for future work.

On the process of combining soft systems methodologies and other approaches in systemic interventions

Abstract The article explores some issues related to the process of a systemic intervention using our experience in three projects in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector carried out in South Africa between 1997 and 2002. The projects served as a testing ground for exploring some theoretical and practical aspects associated with the process of facilitating the intervention. The paper presents reflections on some of the lessons learned regarding the process in each of the three cases associated with complex developmental decision-making issues.

On the Suitability of Soft Systems Methodology and the Work System Method in Some Software Project Contexts

This paper proposes the use of the System of Systems Methodologies SOSM framework by Jackson and Keys for mapping of diverse software project contexts analyzed previously in the software development literature. In addition it presents an evaluation of the suitability of Soft Systems Methodology by Checkland and the Work System Method by Alter for those specific situations within SOSM. Thus we extend the work by Bustard and Keenan and by Alter and Browne on software project contexts that may lead to better tailoring of software development processes by mixing methods within a particular project.

A holistic approach towards the validation and legitimisation of information systems

The research aims to show that validation and legitimisation of an information systems (IS) project need to be treated simultaneously to improve software project management. A starting assumption is that traditional aspects of model validity and legitimisation in operational research can be applicable to the field of IS. However, non‐traditional types of IS are more suitable to be viewed from an interpretive viewpoint. Validation is explored both from hard systems and also from soft systems point of view. Some extensions on the notion of validation for soft systems are provided for that purpose. Issues regarding both validation and legitimisation in IS are illustrated on a case study regarding the management of an academic research management IS project. Issues related both validation and legitimisation in IS are illustrated on a case study regarding the management of an academic research IS project. The latter had eventually to be abandoned. The case study shows how the non‐adherence to the principles of validation and legitimisation lead to that situation.

Improved Understanding of Software Development Productivity Factors to Aid in the Management of an Outsourced Project

Abstract This article articulates an approach to identify the differences in the perceptions and values of the client and vendor about what factors drive developers’ productivity in a specific outsourcing project. A combination of some techniques from Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) was used to measure the differences in those values. It is argued that this approach is applicable to other software development environments.

What Is the Influence of a Compulsory Attendance Policy on Absenteeism and Performance

The authors utilized a quasiexperimental design across sections of managerial communication and management information systems classes (N = 212) to test the impact of compulsory attendance policies on student absenteeism and performance. Students in the compulsory attendance policy condition received an attendance policy that punished excessive absenteeism. Students in the other condition received a policy that told students they were expected to attend but offered neither reward nor punishment. Results suggest that the compulsory policy reduced absenteeism. The policys effect on performance depended on the students level of prior academic achievement. The authors discuss the findings.

On Some Lessons from Modeling Contexts in Complex Problem Solving in Information Technology

This paper reviews current research on context in problem solving and existing two-dimensional frameworks for expressing project contexts in Systems Thinking and Software Engineering. It makes the case for modeling of context with Problem Structuring Methods. The authors present lessons learnt from applying such methods in the context of their experience with several complex management interventions in Information and Telecommunications Technologies. The paper aims to contribute to the understanding of project contexts in complex problem solving in Information Technology.

Toward Assessment of Information Systems Programs: Evaluating Learning Outcomes in Systems Analysis and Design Courses

This paper describes a research in progress on the assessment of an undergraduate program in Information Systems. Different assessment methods suitable for MIS program assessment are discussed and a brief description of pilot assessment is provided.

On an Application of Critical Systems Heuristics in a Framework for Evaluation of Software Development Productivity

The multiple dimensions of the factors affecting software development productivity represent a challenge for an interdisciplinary research to their nature. Because of the significant role played by people, software engineering is already one of the computer science disciplines that is closest to the social sciences (Kemerer, 1998:66). Lederer and Prasad (1998:138) report that past published research in that area includes experiments on cost estimation using algorithmic techniques, without formal techniques but only using expert judgment, using analogy or case based reasoning, expert systems, simulation and in a few cases action research and case studies. The majority of these approaches are of a technical nature. Pfleeger (2001) concludes that the statistics for most models are disappointing, indicating that no model appears to have captured the essential characteristics and their relationships for all types of development. Similar concerns about the accuracy of normative models for software development effort estimation have been expressed by Subramanian and Breslawski (1993) and others.