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An Holistic Approach to the Management of Information Systems Development—A View Using a Soft Systems Approach and Multiple Viewpoints

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Abstract

This paper argues that only a systems-based approach to information systems development is likely to cover all the recognized problem issues reported in the literature. It is then shown that software development can be characterized by the structure of the Soft Systems Methodology, so that this methodology acts as a metaphor for the process of information systems development. The structure of this methodology can be seen at lower levels of the development process, and so the model generated here is seen as recursive. Further, information systems development is seen as an unstructured business problem that can be characterized by the Multiple Viewpoint approach. The connections between this approach and the methodology are identified. Finally, the unifying link between these approaches and all forms of action research is identified.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gloucestershire Business School, Cheltenham and Glouscester College of Higher Education, Cheltenham, United Kingdom

    Peter D. C. Bennetts & Stella Mills

  2. Information Systems Institute, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom

    A. Trevor Wood-Harper

  3. School of Accounting and Information Systems, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia

    A. Trevor Wood-Harper

Authors
  1. Peter D. C. Bennetts
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  2. A. Trevor Wood-Harper
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  3. Stella Mills
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Bennetts, P.D.C., Wood-Harper, A.T. & Mills, S. An Holistic Approach to the Management of Information Systems Development—A View Using a Soft Systems Approach and Multiple Viewpoints. Systemic Practice and Action Research 13, 189–205 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009594604515

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