A conceptual approach for modelling system development projects

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Spiegler, Israel^a | Tsirulnikov, Levi^b

Affiliations: [a] The Rekanati School of Management, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel | [b] Information Systems Department, Motorola Israel, P.O. Box 25016, Tel Aviv 67899, Israel

Abstract: The paper proposes a conceptual model for describing and managing system development projects. The model provides a structured way to subdivide projects into tasks and a tool for measuring a priori the level of control needed to manage projects in information system and other areas. A Project Basic Unit (PBU) is defined as the main building block used to describe various levels of a project hierarchy. Project phasing, the subdivision of higher PBUs into lower level ones, is investigated. Criteria for project phasing which is an important element of managing projects, are outlined and discussed. The area of project control where one person performs more than one project role, called coresidence, is also presented. This phenomenon is a frequent cause of lack of control and malfunctions in system development projects.

Keywords: Information system, project management, system development, management control, project phasing, coresidence

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1988-7408

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 349-357, 1988