Enabling promethean leaps: An examination of storytelling techniques in information systems development

People have used storytelling throughout history to instigate transformative change. Accordingly, one should expect as much of narrative techniques in information systems development (ISD) such as epics, user stories, and personas. However, existing research has focused on these techniques’ operational aspects rather than their potential for transformation or the extent to which they currently aid true transformative change in ISD. This study draws on the myth of Prometheus—the Greek god often used as a metaphorical symbol of technology’s radically innovative, transformative power. Expert interviews are used to develop Promethean principles that can be used to evaluate the transformative potential of narrative ISD techniques. It also identifies factors that undermine the practicality of such a Promethean lens.