Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action

Briony Oates; David Wainwright; Helen Edwards

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-38862-0_43

Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action

Briony Oates, David Wainwright, Helen Edwards

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This short position paper promotes the need for more evidence based practice to underpin the successful execution of information systems (IS) projects. This research responds to the high numbers of IS projects that are seen to have failed in terms of either one or many success criteria such as: not meeting original objectives, running over budget, negatively impacting on people, processes or organizations, to name but a few. We advocate the need for the development of a more rigorous evidence base for IS research similar to those used in medicine or more recently in social studies and software engineering. For example, Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) and also Meta-Analysis of empirical research studies could be used more extensively within IS to compile more coherent, consistent and referable bodies of evidence and knowledge. We conclude with a 7 point action plan and suggestions for further research.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors
Editors	Yogesh K. Dwivedi, Helle Zinner Henriksen, David Wastell, Rahul De'
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Springer
Pages	619-624
Number of pages	670
Volume	402
ISBN (Print)	978-3-642-38861-3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38862-0_43
Publication status	Published - 2013
Event	IFIP8.6 Grand Successes and Failures in IT - Bangalore, India Duration: 1 Jan 2013 → … http://ifip86.iimb.ernet.in/?cat=4

Publication series

Name	IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
Publisher	Springer

Conference

Conference	IFIP8.6 Grand Successes and Failures in IT
Period	1/01/13 → …
Internet address	http://ifip86.iimb.ernet.in/?cat=4

Keywords

Evidence-based practice
qualitative research
systematic literature review
information system failures
research methods

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-642-38862-0_43

Cite this

Oates, B., Wainwright, D., & Edwards, H. (2013). Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action. In Y. K. Dwivedi, H. Z. Henriksen, D. Wastell, & R. De' (Eds.), Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors (Vol. 402, pp. 619-624). (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38862-0_43

Oates, Briony ; Wainwright, David ; Edwards, Helen. / Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action. Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors. editor / Yogesh K. Dwivedi ; Helle Zinner Henriksen ; David Wastell ; Rahul De'. Vol. 402 London : Springer, 2013. pp. 619-624 (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology).

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abstract = "This short position paper promotes the need for more evidence based practice to underpin the successful execution of information systems (IS) projects. This research responds to the high numbers of IS projects that are seen to have failed in terms of either one or many success criteria such as: not meeting original objectives, running over budget, negatively impacting on people, processes or organizations, to name but a few. We advocate the need for the development of a more rigorous evidence base for IS research similar to those used in medicine or more recently in social studies and software engineering. For example, Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) and also Meta-Analysis of empirical research studies could be used more extensively within IS to compile more coherent, consistent and referable bodies of evidence and knowledge. We conclude with a 7 point action plan and suggestions for further research.",

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Oates, B, Wainwright, D & Edwards, H 2013, Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action. in YK Dwivedi, HZ Henriksen, D Wastell & R De' (eds), Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors. vol. 402, IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, Springer, London, pp. 619-624, IFIP8.6 Grand Successes and Failures in IT, 1/01/13. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-38862-0_43

Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action. / Oates, Briony; Wainwright, David; Edwards, Helen.
Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors. ed. / Yogesh K. Dwivedi; Helle Zinner Henriksen; David Wastell; Rahul De'. Vol. 402 London: Springer, 2013. p. 619-624 (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

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AU - Wainwright, David

AU - Edwards, Helen

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AB - This short position paper promotes the need for more evidence based practice to underpin the successful execution of information systems (IS) projects. This research responds to the high numbers of IS projects that are seen to have failed in terms of either one or many success criteria such as: not meeting original objectives, running over budget, negatively impacting on people, processes or organizations, to name but a few. We advocate the need for the development of a more rigorous evidence base for IS research similar to those used in medicine or more recently in social studies and software engineering. For example, Systematic Literature Reviews (SLRs) and also Meta-Analysis of empirical research studies could be used more extensively within IS to compile more coherent, consistent and referable bodies of evidence and knowledge. We conclude with a 7 point action plan and suggestions for further research.

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KW - qualitative research

KW - systematic literature review

KW - information system failures

KW - research methods

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T3 - IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology

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BT - Grand Successes and Failures in IT: Public and Private Sectors

A2 - Dwivedi, Yogesh K.

A2 - Henriksen, Helle Zinner

A2 - Wastell, David

A2 - De', Rahul

PB - Springer

CY - London

T2 - IFIP8.6 Grand Successes and Failures in IT

Y2 - 1 January 2013

ER -

Endless bad projects, or evidence-based practice? An agenda for action

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