An Information System Quality Framework Based on Information System Architectures

Abstract

Recent approaches view the Quality of Information Systems (IS) as the result of an IS development process and the quality of IS products. As quality is regarded as a multidimensional concept and its meaning depends on the context and the perspectives, many different IS quality frameworks and models are proposed. Typically, these frameworks include a set of characteristics, so-called quality factors, contributing to the quality of IS. Some approaches are based on the IS delivery process for the selection of quality factors; while some other approaches do not clearly explain the rationale for their selection. Moreover, often relations or impacts among selected quality factors are not taken into account. Quality aspects of information are frequently considered isolated from IS quality. The impact of IS quality on information quality seems to be neglected in most approaches. A systematic analysis of objective quality factors impacting on the overall quality of IS is necessary. This would provide a systematic view on IS quality as well as the rationale for selected quality factors. By identifying the root causes of defects, it would help to improve IS quality. Our research aims to propose such a quality framework based on Information System Architecture, as it allows understanding the elements and relations of IS. Focusing on IS architecture, we can identify the rationale of each quality factor that impacts on IS quality. Quality factors are identified for various abstraction levels of IS architecture. Besides, we also present impacts among different quality factors that help to analyze the root causes of IS defects.