The role of team problem solving competency in information system development projects

Organizations are justifiably concerned about the quality of the information system that will drive the operations of an organization. The vagaries of the environment and multiple stakeholders create uncertainty in the requirements for an information system product that impedes development of a high quality product along common dimensions of efficiency, flexibility and responsiveness. The ability of a team to solve problems that arise before and during the course of the project can help overcome uncertainty of requirements. A project can be designed with both reactive and anticipatory mechanisms that heighten problem solving competency and improve product quality of the resulting information system. We develop a model based on work in new product development and test it with a sample of 119 information system (IS) development professionals to examine the expected relationship. The confirmed relationships indicate that IS development project managers should consider problem solving expertise when building a team that considers elements that prepare for the development environment creatively as well as coordinate effectively to achieve a quality IS product.