QuiQ: A New Systems Development Methodology Suitable for E-Business Projects

Abstract

Many businesses are already taking place online. This poses new challenges to systems development (SD) teams as to the adoption of methodologies since there are varied existing methodologies at the moment that are not specifically identified to be suitable for this purpose. Hence, this study focused on designing a new systems development methodology suitable for E-business projects. Specifically, it identified: the SD best practices of IT practitioners; the strengths and weaknesses of the existing SD methodology; and it helped design a SD methodology that was applicable to e-business projects tailored from existing ones and from best practices of IT practitioners. A survey of over sixty IT practitioners indicated that they are using two or more methodologies during SD and that majority of them are using the Waterfall. Their selection of methodology depended on the developers technical know-how, relevance of the methodology to the project, and to the well-defined steps of the methodology. Their top priorities were budget, time, and cost. Consequently, QuiQ (Quick and Quality-oriented) SD methodology was developed based on the respondents practices and strengths of the existing methodologies that were adopted while weaknesses were addressed.