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Adapting Soft Systems Methodology for Strategic Information Systems Planning: An Action Research Study in a Non-Profit Organisation in Australia

Classification
Dimension Value
  • Type of the Research Result
  • Empirical Study
    • Other Empirical Study
  • Current Status of Development
  • Not specified
  • Number of Cases
  • Not Specified
  • Functional Area
  • Coordinating Processes
    • Strategic Planning of Product-Service-Systems
  • Company Size
  • Small-sized Organizations (Headcount <50)
  • Lifecycle Phase
  • Utilization
  • Types of Customers of Value Bundles
  • Other Recipients
  • Industry Sector
  • Providing other Public and Personal Services
  • Standardization
  • No Standardization

Non-profit organisations provide a large number of services of public interest and play an important role in the Australian society and economy. These organisations can very often improve or expand the services they provide to the public through the implementation of appropriate information systems and technologies. Effective choice and implementation of IS and IT benefits from undertaking strategic information systems planning (SISP). This study investigates the adaptation and use of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to conduct an SISP process in a non-profit organisation. SSM is a flexible methodology, based on systems thinking, which can be adapted to a particular organisational situation and is capable of taking into account the internal and external social and political contexts of an organisation. The study shows that SSM can be successfully adapted to suit the culture and situation of a non-profit organisation. Adaptations made included ways in which the IS planner interacted with organisational stakeholders and the addition of CSF, SWOT, problematiques, use cases, and a specialised form of CATWOE and Root Definitions. The study showed that the adapted form of the SSM for SISP process can be utilised effectively for SISP, was found to be valuable by organisational stakeholders, and provided help in renewing the focus on improving services to the community through the use of technology.

This research result was described by Sanja Tumbas (4. April 2011 - 7:08)
This research result was last edited by Sanja Tumbas (10. July 2011 - 21:13)

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