Abstract
The complexity framework was employed to analyse Information Systems and the strategic planning process associated with them. We provided an overview of the theories of complexity and their significance. The salient features of strategic planning for information systems were discussed and the need for a new paradigm, viz. complexity was pointed out. The concept of Class of a Complex System was introduced and a model for analysing complexity was given. The implications of the complexity model in the context of strategic planning were considered and a few actions, which draw upon the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) approach, were suggested for information system planners.
Highlights
The importance of Information Systems (IS) in adding value to a corporate organization is a wellestablished fact
Information systems have evolved from being synonymous with corporate data processing and back-room operations supporting routine tasks, to work systems, which are of strategic importance to organizations[1,2,3]
With the success of information systems becoming crucial to the sustainability of organizations, Strategic Planning for Information Systems (SP4IS) is fast emerging as a critical issue
Summary
The importance of Information Systems (IS) in adding value to a corporate organization is a wellestablished fact. These patterns progress non-linearly - periods of Protagonists of complexity theory argue that strategic planning for information systems would suffer greatly if there is overemphasis on extrapolative planning process culminating in freezing of strategic planning systems into oversimplified, linear checklist and lock-step approaches They advance the idea[30] that instead of choosing singularly focused strategies, organizations need to explore multiple strategies, some of which would operate in parallel, in order to encourage co-evolution. An instructive example of the conditions that favour encouraging variety may be provided from the field of information systems This is the case of the Linux Operating System and the method employed to organize the work of its development team[31]. By the process of extrapolation, one can argue that the principle can be adopted profitably for the development and strategic planning of other types of information systems as well
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