WHY AN MIS MIGHT FAIL?

MIS systems are complex and expensive pieces of software, and many people are involved with the design both within the organisation and from outside. Often they are built by software houses to the precise requirements of the organisation. So the client organisation needs to be very clear as to what it wants, and the software house analysts need also to be very clear about the requirements.

MIS failures can be expensive and bring bad publicity to all parties. They can arise due to:

• Inadequate analysis - problems, needs and constraints aren’t understood in the early stages.
• Lack of management involved in the design – wrong expectations of a new system / no-one understands the system.
• Emphasis on the computer system – Need procedures for handling input and output / select the right hardware and software
• Concentration on low-level data processing – Information must be easily accessible and understood
• Lack of management knowledge of ICT systems and capabilities – managers know what they want from the system but don’t understand the technology
• Lack of teamwork – An ICT manager must co-ordinate the accounts, marketing, sales etc. departments and help everyone understand the benefits of the system
• Lack of professional standards – All systems need clear documentation that all users can understand (not just the ICT literate)

Organisations can judge how successful the implementation of an MIS system has been by applying the following evaluations:

• High level of use - Is it actually used? Some systems don’t become operational for reasons such as it taking too long to enter data.
• High level of user satisfaction - Do users like the systems?
• Accomplishment of original objectives - Have the objectives specified in the analysis stage been achieved?
• Appropriate nature of use - Is the software being correctly used?

Has proper training been given?

• Institutionalisation of the system - Has it been taken on board enthusiastically?