A User Perspective of Information Requirements Determination Quality

A study was performed to identify factors that affect the process quality of the information requirements determination (IRD) process from a user perspective. A nominal group process was used with three groups of users that have had experience with the IRD process. The results indicate there is a set of factors that users agree impact the quality of the IRD process. A total of 33 factors were identified as critical to IRD process quality. These factors are then classified into five logical categories: management, organization, process, technical, and human resource. The users consider management commitment the most important individual factor for IRD quality. However, the groups ranked the process category of factors highest. By using this set of factors as a checklist during the project planning stage, a manager may identify potentially problematic projects or projects with a higher likelihood of success. This study should benefit information technology (IT) users, IT professionals, project managers, and IT researchers. The identification of factors that impact IRD process quality may give managers guidance in assessing the risk associated with IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING This chapter appears in the book, Advanced Topics in Informtion Resources Management, vol. 4 edited by Mehdi Khosrow-Pour © 2005, Idea Group Inc. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB11249