The role of feedback in assessing information systems planning effectiveness

Abstract Research conducted over the past decade into the key issues of information systems management has ranked information systems planning as one of the major concerns. Problems encountered in information systems planning have been experienced by many companies for over 25 years. Although during this period the focus of planning has changed, some of the original problems (eg linkage between information systems strategy and business strategy) still exist. Until now, researchers in this area have tended to focus their attention on the development of information systems planning methods/methodologies. However, there is little evidence to suggest that these methods/methodologies are addressing some of the major issues (eg insufficient resources such as people, funds and computer time, failure in plan implementation) that have plagued information systems planning over the years with a view to improving ISP effectiveness. This paper argues that clarification is needed as to the scope of the information systems planning activity and suggests that a multi-dimensional perspective needs to be taken in order to improve information systems planning. It identifies a major component of information systems planning effectiveness which has had little attention paid to it in the past, namely feedback, and suggests ways in which to investigate whether a relationship exists between the presence/quality of these feedback mechanisms and planning effectiveness.