Lessons from the 80s: The tale of one MIS department

Abstract The MIS department of a mutual insurance company survived rapid and dramatic changes during the 1980s and early 1990s. The external environment of this company went from stable to very turbulent, with many aggressive new competitors, many new products, and plummeting profits. On the MIS side, changes included a new hardware platform and operating system, a new database representation, changes in leadership, a rapid expansion in the use of personal computers and other forms of end-user computing, new software development tools, continuous pressure for new applications, and a shift to stricter fiscal responsibility. After much pain, the MIS department not only survived, but emerged stronger, leaner and a full partner in the strategy making process of the company. This article is a case study that summarizes the issues, challenges and traps of the MIS world in the 80s. It also presents ten lessons to help steer a course through the next decade.