Roles in the ISD process: a collaborative approach

Abstract

Purpose

Looking at the Scandinavian information systems development (ISD) approach in contrast to more traditional ISD approaches, this paper reflects on experiences of the roles of the participants in an ISD process. The study aims to demonstrate how the theoretical knowledge of academic researchers together with the pragmatic approach of practitioners can be integrated in the ISD process – particularly in a new and more refined way, through a heightened awareness of the different roles.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on case study methodology, the study focuses on the roles of human resource academics and human resource practitioners in an ISD process developing an intra‐ and inter‐organizational web‐based knowledge‐sharing portal.

Findings

The study demonstrates that in order to secure the success of the ISD process, new roles must be performed and properly orchestrated. Also, the study demonstrates how a constant crosschecking of “real‐world” experiences against “the laboratory” in the ISD process can benefit the participating partners, the process, and the end‐product.

Research limitations/implications

Based on a single‐case study, the context and process imposed constraints. The findings are context specific with implications for the application of findings to other ISD processes.

Originality/value

The study highlights the human tasks in a particular ISD process and explains how insights from the Scandinavian and more traditional ISD approaches can be used to enhance the role identification and consequently help address the mediator problem. The study suggests that researchers act as mediators through the fulfillment of the roles, which naturally stem from the Scandinavian approach and the traditional software engineering approach to ISD.

Citation

Lemmergaard, J. (2008), "Roles in the ISD process: a collaborative approach", Journal of Enterprise Information Management, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 543-556. https://doi.org/10.1108/17410390810904283