Premium
Learning failure in information systems development
Author(s) -
Lyytinen Kalle,
Robey Daniel
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
information systems journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.635
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1365-2575
pISSN - 1350-1917
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2575.1999.00051.x
Subject(s) - organizational learning , knowledge management , organizational systems , organization development , development (topology) , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , business , management science , engineering ethics , process management , engineering , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Abstract. Abstract. Information systems development is a high‐risk undertaking, and failures remain common despite advances in development tools and technologies. In this paper, we argue that one reason for this is the collapse of organizational intelligence required to deal with the complexities of systems development. Organizations fail to learn from their experience in systems development because of limits of organizational intelligence, disincentives for learning, organizational designs and educational barriers. Not only have many organizations failed to learn, but they have also learned to fail. Over time they accept and expect poor performance while creating organizational myths that perpetuate short‐term optimization. This paper illustrates learning failure in systems development and recommends tactics for overcoming it.