Humanware Issues in a Government Management Information Systems Implementation

This case describes the experience of a United States Government Defense Agency, charged with the acquisition and procurement of weapons systems, that required a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS). Despite a large investment of time and money, the information system was designed and implemented without due consideration or management of the human side of systems development. The lack of human factors planning generated cost overruns, time delays, and ultimately, a partial failure of the system. This case addresses the behavioral, managerial, and organizational shortcomings of the MIS process, which ultimately led to a less than effective implementation.