Optimising strategic information system development

Abstract The previous decade has witnessed major change within the Information Systems (IS) environment with a corresponding emphasis on the importance of specifying timely and accurate information strategies. This paper responds to this emphasis via the development of an optimisation model to aid the formulation of IS strategy. The model is suitable for all organisations which seek to plan long-term investment strategies; however, it is particularly applicable to small- to medium-sized enterprises which need to balance long-term investment against the risk of short-term expenditure. The paper initially describes the modular nature of the model prior to a disclosure of the optimisation process at the centre of the approach. The optimisation method uses a Linear Goal Programming mathematical approach to analyse IS investment projects through the multivariable optimisation of business goals. The paper concludes with a discussion of the validation of the model via an industrial case study.