Contrasting Approaches: A Study of Traditional and Multimedia Information Systems Development in Ireland

Traditional information systems development practice has never been a stable environment. Advances in hardware, the growing complexity of networks, and the emergence of GUI-based operating systems have all challenged the development skills of information systems professionals. In response, approaches and accompanying techniques have been developed to reflect the rapidly changing nature of information systems. Process, data and object-oriented approaches have all contributed to improve systems development. The latest challenge of multimedia and Web information systems development demands that questions are asked about how such systems are and should be developed. To date much of the multimedia and Web software industry has concentrated on commercial, promotional and training applications. This will change if there is, as seems likely, a move into more large-scale, data-heavy, business applications. In such circumstances, the need for comprehensive, well-structured development techniques and methods will be urgent (Britton et al, 1997). Furthermore an understanding of how to manage the arrival of these new technologies is needed (Damsgaard & Scheepers, 1999) as well as a more user-focused design process (Thuring et al, 1995).