The shifting sand of program coordination Effort: Lessons from IT-enabled transformation programs
Journal
Proceedings of the 28th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, ACIS 2017
Date Issued
2017
Author(s)
Abstract
Information Technology (IT) enabled transformation programs are collections of interrelated projects and operational activity aimed at achieving strategic change of significant complexity, where the opportunity for change is provided by IT. This paper reports on a study of major Australian organisations that are using IT-enabled transformation programs to achieve strategic transformation of their work. While the program management literature has focused on the coordination of the multiple projects and related operational activities within the programs, little is known about how these programs deploy efforts to coordinate activities in response to contextual pressures. This exploratory, multi-case study asserts that a significant effort is needed to coordinate responses to factors external to the program. In addition, this study shows the key internal and external forces that combine in shifting the locus of effort in coordinating and integrating multiple activities and projects in major IT-enabled transformation programs. Three areas of effort are identified: creating change momentum, seeking customer engagement, and managing public image. The findings are presented in the form of a contingency model. ? ACIS 2017.
Subjects
Information systems; Contingency models; External force; Multiple projects; Operational activity; Program management; Public image; Strategic changes; Transformation Program; Information use
Type
conference paper