Controlling Prototype Development Through Risk Analysis.

Author List: Baskerville, Richard L.; Stage, Jan;

MIS Quarterly, 1996, Volume 20, Issue 4, Page 481-504.

This article presents a new approach to the management of evolutionary prototyping projects. The prototyping approach to systems development emphasizes learning and facilitates meaningful communication between systems developers and users. These benefits are important for rapid creation of flexible, usable information resources that are well-tuned to present and future business needs. The main unsolved problem in prototyping is the difficulty in controlling such projects. This problem severely limits the range of practical projects in which prototyping can be used. The new approach suggested in this article uses an explicit risk mitigation model and management process that energizes and enhances the value of prototyping in technology delivery. An action research effort validates this risk analysis approach as one that focuses management attention on consequences and priorities inherent in a prototyping situation. This approach enables appropriate risk resolution strategies to be placed in effect before the prototyping process breaks down. It facilitates consensus building through collaborative decision making and is consistent with a high degree of user involvement.

Keywords: Action research; evolutionary design; IS control; IS development strategies; IS management issues; IS project risk management; iterative design; prototyping

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List of Topics

#90	0.201	development life cycle prototyping new stages routines stage design experiences traditional time sdlc suggested strategies rapid effort integrated needs techniques
#44	0.124	approach analysis application approaches new used paper methodology simulation traditional techniques systems process based using proposed method present provides various
#264	0.122	risk risks management associated managing financial appropriate losses expected future literature reduce loss approach alternative mitigate failures failure cause mitigation
#287	0.098	design systems support development information proposed approach tools using engineering current described developing prototype flexible built architecture environment integrated designing
#66	0.096	conflict management resolution conflicts resolve interpersonal consensus robey strategies interdependence optimistic occur degree diversity resolving agreement 1993 1982 distributed issues
#253	0.077	user involvement development users satisfaction systems relationship specific results successful process attitude participative implementation effective application authors suggested user's contingency
#139	0.074	project projects failure software commitment escalation cost factors study problem resources continue prior escalate overruns taken failing troubled sunk fail