Title: A Q-sort study of benefits realisation in IT projects

Authors: Jan Terje Karlsen

Addresses: Norwegian School of Management, 0442 Oslo, Norway

Abstract: In many firms, information system/technology represents a substantial investment and many IT managers find it difficult to justify the rising investments in IS/IT. Often they are under immense pressure to find a way to measure the contribution of the IS/IT investment to business performance, as well as to find reliable ways to ensure that the business benefits from the IS/IT investments are realised. Research shows, however, that a minority of organisations measure benefits and values created by successful IT projects. This paper contributes to providing insights into the benefits and value realisation of IT projects and investments. In the paper, we have studied 16 critical factors that contribute to improved benefits realisation. An empirical survey among IT professionals in Norway was conducted using Q-sort as the research method. The results from the data analysis show that defining the project purpose, benefits realisation plan, change management, qualified and experienced personnel, and top management support are the five most important key issues.

Keywords: IT projects; benefits realisation; critical factors; IT managers; success; Q-sort method; information technology; information systems; IT investment; Norway; change management; qualified personnel; experienced personnel; top management support.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2008.018038

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2008 Vol.3 No.4, pp.356 - 373

Published online: 28 Apr 2008 *

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