Improving Coverage of Design in Information Systems Education

The Association for Computing Machinery and the Association for Information Systems publish guidelines for undergraduate programs in software engineering and information systems (model curricula). While design is a core topic in both disciplines, this paper reveals that both model curricula omit core design topics. Coding the model curricula using concepts from Herbert Simon’s suggested topics in design science and Sensemaking-Coevolution-Implementation Theory (an explanatory theory of software development practice) reveals a specific gap – neither model curricula covers how to generate design candidates. Consequently, the paper recommends adding numerous topics related to design candidate generation including means-ends analysis, sketching, storyboarding and problem modeling. Revising these influential model curricula to improve coverage of crucial design topics may positively influence many degree programs around the world.