Undersizing software systems: third versus fourth generation software development

Authors: Lind M.R.¹; Sulek J.M.¹

Source: European Journal of Information Systems, Volume 7, Number 4, 1 December 1998 , pp. 261-268(8)

Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

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Abstract:

A critical component of information systems (IS) project management is completing projects on time; however, most software development efforts have completion time overruns. This study examines the prior research in IS project management for assessing the completion time for new software development projects and discusses a project management phenomenon where the expected time for project completion is undersized. At one firm two groups of software development projects are examined: (1) Cobol projects (third generation) and (2) Natural (fourth generation). It was found that both the Cobol and Natural projects experienced similar overruns. Undersizing is posited as the explanation.

Document Type: Original article

Affiliations: 1: School of Business and Economics, NCA&T State University, Merrick Hall, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA

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