New Challenges for the Management of the Development of Information Systems Based on Complex Mathematical Models

The advancements in complexity and sophistication of mathematical models for manufacturing scheduling and control and the increase of the ratio power/cost of computers are beginning to provide the manufacturing industry with new software tools to improve production. A Danish action research project has been initiated with the scope of investigating the questions that mathematical modelling technology poses to traditional information systems development projects.

Based on the past body of research, this study proposes a framework to guide decision making for managing projects of information systems development. In a presented case the indications of the model are compared with the decisions taken during the development. The results highlight discrepancies between the structure and predictions of the model and the case observations, especially with regard to the importance given to the users’ skills in the development process.

Further observations also indicate that flexibility and adaptability, based on grounded theory, are valuable tools when information systems development involves a new technology.