Tranquilizing the Werewolf that Attack Information Systems Quality

Abstract

After years of research and experimentation with information systems building, delivering high-quality systems remains a largely elusive objective. Since the prophetic assertion of Fred Brooks that the essential difficulties of “software engineering” would frustrate the search for a “silver bullet” to slay the legendary werewolf that beset its quality, IS delivery has become more difficult, and organizations have magnified the struggle to overcome what has been called “the software crisis.” There is unlikely to be a silver bullet. Only the disciplined, effective management and selection of appropriate approaches by knowledgeable and committed participants in the delivery process are likely to increase the odds of producing high-quality software products. This article discusses a variety of available user-centered and process-oriented systems delivery methods, philosophies, and techniques, which may be used in innovative permutations to tranquilize the dragon beyond its capacity to generate terror. The application context for these approaches, their strengths and weaknesses as indicated by the research literature, and reported practitioner experiences are also discussed.