Control Mechanisms for Managing Modularized ISD projects

Information Systems Development (ISD) projects widely utilize modularization to enable better management and control. Yet, the modalities for effectively managing modularized ISD projects are not clearly established. By adopting a ‘control theory’ perspective and leveraging case study approach, we examine eight modularized ISD projects to unearth the mechanisms for managing modularized ISD projects effectively. Results demonstrate that lack of module interdependencies increase the use of formal controls and decrease the informal clan controls. However, informal clan controls may be required for team members to understand the project requirements. Further, it was found that an error in the identification of module interdependencies creates fluctuations in Business Requirement Specifications (BRSs), which in turn, originates project management issues at the later stages of the projects. Rather than utilizing the component-sharing modularity, the use of sectional modularity minimizes the fluctuations in BRS, which ultimately reduces the project management issues in ISD projects.