A framework for best practices in the deployment of departmental information systems

In previous work, we conceptualized a departmental information system as embodying a flexible, but limited, model for the operation of a department, such as a laboratory or diagnostic imaging service. We further recognized these systems as tools that enable data-driven departmental management and function as feeder systems to enterprise management decision-support systems, and also embody a departmental and components of an enterprise management model. Finally, for systems that interact with professionals related to decision support, we note that such systems embody partial cognitive models that must be congruent with the professionals cognitive processes (or professionals cognitive behaviors must alternatively be congruent with the systems cognitive model), if these systems are to be supportive of the professionals thinking and decision making. In this paper, we review this thinking and use it to derive proposed "best practices" in IS management, and system planning, procurement, implementation, and use.