Towards a culture of management of software systems maintenance in Africa

Abstract

Most African countries are littered with machines, factories, buildings and other kinds of technical artifacts that are no longer in working order; or that worked for only a short time before they were abandoned. One of the major reasons for the abandonment of these systems is (the term 'systems' is hereafter used to refer to all of the above technical artifacts, including Information Technology (IT) systems) that often they develop a small fault, or a new/more powerful, attractive or faster system is introduced. Recently, this problem has been made more manifest in the area of IT. This paper argues that this ought not to be the case, and that there is much to gain from repairing, enhancing and adapting already existing systems. Therefore, it calls for a 'culture of maintenance' in the whole society, and more particularly, in the area of IT. It argues that this is a vital prerequisite for the sustainable acquisition or effective use of IT. The paper goes on to examine the nature of software maintenance and the strategies organisations can employ in Africa to ensure that their systems are adequately maintained.

Availability, accessibility and use of information technologies in Nigerian federal agencies: A preliminary survey

“…And knowing that, what IT strategies are imperative for Nigerian public sector agencies in the transition to both the new millennium and democratic governance after more than fifteen years of military dictatorships and economic sanctions? An indication of what one may find on the ground is provided by Woherem [6] who reviewed the problems with software maintenance in developing countries and mentioned many Nigerian cases. Indeed, Woherem's review clearly shows that African countries should expect a rude shock from the "Millennium bug" unless there had been significant improvements in software maintenance attitudes and practices since he wrote.…”

Information technology in Nigerian federal agencies: problems, impact and strategies

“…Hence, IT may be seen not as a desirable productivity-boosting resource, but as an undesirable labour-saving strategy in a labourabundant socio-economic environment. Additionally compounding such political impediments to the operational and strategic use of IT in public agencies are technical and socio-economic barriers, which, as noted for Nigera by Iromantu [3] and Woherem [4], include: unfavourable terms of trade which make IT imports very expensive; lack of an enabling national information and communications technology policy, leading to a severely stunted telecommunications infrastructure [5]; a poor maintenance culture [6] and inadequate skills for the development, operation and maintenance of sophisticated IT systems. The last constraint is very severe in Nigerian public agencies, because their poor pay structure makes it difficult for them to attract or retain qualified IT personnel from the under-supplied local IT labour market.…”

Deconstructing the ‘Digital Divide’ In Africa

“…Moreover the digital divide is, by and large, a Eurocentric creation, and in its application (by definition) has hardly taken into account the peculiarities of the developing world, especially Africa. Woherem (1993), commenting on the use of ICTs in sub-Saharan Africa, pointed out that unless ICTs were integrated into the cultural milieu of African communities, the people would stand fewer chances of benefiting and therefore accepting such technologies. He observed that software applications used in Africa are based on western models and do not take into account local cultural sensitivities.…”