Melding Information Systems Evaluation with the Information Systems Development Life-Cycle

In this paper we consider the synergy between two areas of IS literature: that concerned with the evaluation of information systems and that concerned with explaining the phenomenon of IS failure. On the basis of an analysis of both such areas a model is developed which attempts to integrate IS evaluation into the life-cycle of information systems development. The model clearly links the issue of failure assessment with the evaluation process and constitutes a strategy for stimulating organisational learning in relation to information systems development. The paper concludes with a brief description of our attempts to validate aspects of the model and plans for further empirical work in this area.