Towards Systemic Evaluation of the Business Value of IT

Abstract

Evaluating the IT business value is a challenging combination of managing the complexity of value phenomenon and the complexity of broad IT impacts. This study analyses the focal characteristics of IT business value evaluation and proposes a research agenda towards systemic evaluation approach. The systemic approach combines concepts of goal driven perspective for benefits, value as a combination of benefits and costs, and the lifecycle view of potential and realised value. These concepts are integrated through system dynamics modelling to understand the IT impact structures and dynamic value creating behaviour emerging from the structures. Finally, systemic approach should be supported by evaluation workflow practices that facilitate seamless data retrieval for the evaluation process, and the integration of evaluation outputs within the organisation.