The flexibility and complexity of information systems development projects: Conceptual frameworks, measures, and empirical tests

Information systems development projects (ISDPs) are known for a high failure rate. This high failure rate can largely be attributed to the complexity and changes involved during ISDP lifecycles. In complex, dynamic environments, ISDP team flexibility to respond to various changes becomes critical to improved project performance. However, there has been a lack of understanding about the relationships between flexibility, complexity and the performance of ISDPs.; The objectives of this dissertation are three-fold. First, the dissertation conceptualizes ISDP flexibility and develops a measurement for the construct. Second, it develops a conceptual framework and a measurement for assessing ISDP complexity. Third, drawing upon the contingency perspectives, it examines the effects of ISDP flexibility on IS performance under varying degrees of ISDP complexity.; This dissertation uses a five-phase research method to achieve the research objectives. It employs field interviews, focus group discussions, pretests, pilot tests, and a large-scale cross-sectional survey with 505 ISDP managers.; The dissertation examines two types of ISDP flexibility: the extent of response by the project team to changes and the efficiency of response. A 25-item measurement of ISDP flexibility is developed and validated using confirmatory factor analysis. A two dimensional conceptual framework is proposed to define four types of ISDP complexity: structural organizational complexity, structural IT complexity, dynamic organizational complexity, and dynamic IT complexity. A 20-item measurement of ISDP complexity is developed and validated.; The research finds that both types of ISDP flexibility have positive main effects on IS performance. However, the effect of ISDP flexibility on IS performance is stronger when ISDP complexity is higher than when it is lower. There was a negative relationship between the two types of ISDP flexibility.; The research provides conceptual frameworks and validated measures of ISDP flexibility and ISDP complexity. With these measures, IS managers can use them to assess and better manage their projects. The research provides empirical evidence about the relationships between flexibility, complexity and the performance of ISDPs. The findings suggest that flexibility generally improves project performance. However, managers need to assess the degree of project complexity to determine the appropriate level of ISDP flexibility.