Authors: Jon W. Beard
Tags: 2018, ill-structured problems, requirements elicitation, tame problems, wicked problems
Systems analysis and design (SAnD) approaches are intended to provide a well-defined, consistent, and thorough approach to systems development efforts. Yet, reports often suggest that systems continue to fall well short of desired capabilities and performance. The everimproving technology, the rapid growth in organizations’ computing needs, and the increasingly competitive environment makes it difficult to identify and build around well-defined requirements. Multiple approaches have been developed, with a current emphasis on various Agile methods. This complex set of conditions may be representative of “wicked problems” (Rittel & Webber, 1973), i.e., a situation where there is no ideal solution or answer. The concept of wicked problems has been infrequently explored in the information systems literature, with the focus instead being on a more rational, engineering-oriented perspective. This manuscript explores the challenges in and approaches to addressing the ‘wicked’ nature of systems analysis and design.
Cite as:
Beard J.W. (2018). “Information Systems Analysis and Design: Addressing the ‘Wicked’ Nature of Systems Development Efforts,” in AIS SIGSAND, Syracuse, NY, United States, May 23 – 25, 2018.
