An examination of designer and user perceptions of JAD and the traditional IS design methodology

Abstract

Software design methodologies abound, with each claiming to be the solution for enhancing user participation in the systems analysis and design process. Joint applications design (JAD) is an approach that draws upon the strengths of group dynamics to facilitate requirements determination. JAD has been advocated for enhancing user participation and tapping user creativity in the systems design process. However, these claims are based on case studies and anecdotal evidence with limited empirical justification. This research compares the effects of the JAD and the traditional IS design methodology relative to the interactions between users and designers, consensus management, and user acceptance of the design specifications. This effort draws upon data from 94 pairs of designers and users associated with 57 different projects that utilized either the traditional IS design or JAD methodology. Results suggest that designers perceived JAD as being superior to the traditional IS design method with respect to the quality of user-designer interactions, effectiveness of consensus management, and user acceptance of design specifications. Users were less enamored on finding that JAD only promoted superior user-designer interactions.