Requirements determination of information systems: User and developer perceptions of factors contributing to misunderstandings

The development of information systems involves knowing what to create and how to create it. What to create is the area of requirements determination, which is often identified as the most difficult part of bringing an information system into existence. Two key stakeholder groups in information systems projects are users and developers, who must understand and agree upon the requirements. Misunderstandings between these two groups can lead to several negative consequences, including jeopardizing the success of the system, increasing the cost and time of the project, and risking the project being cancelled. Although several techniques have been created to help users and developers better understand requirements, little research has been conducted to learn why users and developers continue to misunderstand requirements. The purpose of this study is to identify factors that contribute to users and developers misunderstanding requirements for information systems. The findings of the study contribute to a theoretical foundation for future research, allowing for the creation of more effective and efficient techniques for understanding requirements.