Reconstructing the Systems Development Organization

Today’s typical information systems (IS) organization clings to the belief that it is primarily in the new system development business, a notion based increasingly on substantial self-deception. In reality, many IS development staffs now devote the majority of their efforts to the repair and enhancement of currently installed systems. This “maintenance” task, as it is commonly termed, is widely misunderstood, misrepresented, and undervalued. A reconstructed view of the systems development organization is necessary, one in which the repair and ongoing development of installed systems is given proper emphasis and strategic recognition.