The Application of an Information Systems Development Methodology in Practice - An Exploratory Study

The use and modification of Information Systems Development Methodologies has continued to be an important issue for research and practice as developers struggle to complete large-scale IS development projects. Whilst there is a widespread belief that the use of an ISDM is appropriate when developing an information system. a considerable body of evidence exists to indicate that few practitioners actually use methodologies as described. Instead, ISDMs are tailored to create a unique instantiation for each project. This study explores the application of ISDMs in a large global IT company. The paper contributes to the understanding of ISDM application in two ways. Firstly, it identifies two steps in the tailoring process: a deliberate tailoring of the methodology prior to the commencement of a project based on developers' perceptions of the project and its context; and ad hoc tailoring to meet the real, unfolding development needs of the project. Secondly, it provides a description of the way in which a large, experienced organization using ISDMs has addressed the shortcomings of ISDMs by the introduction of a "meta-methodology".