Toward a Complexity Theory of Information Systems Development

Abstract

Existing literature acknowledges Information Systems Development (ISD) to be a complex activity. This complexity is magnified by the continuous changes in user requirements due to changing organizational needs in changing external competitive environments. Research findings show that if this increasing complexity is not managed appropriately, information systems fail. The paper thus, portrays the sources of complexity related to ISD and suggests the use of complexity theory as a frame of reference analyzing its implications on information system design and development to deal with the emergent nature of IS.

Keywords: Adaptability, Complexity theory, Design and development, Information systems, Project management