The Complexity Paradigm: Implications for Information Systems and their Strategic Planning

Abstract

The complexity framework was employed to analyse Information Systems and the strategic planning process associated with them. We provided an overview of the theories of complexity and their significance. The salient features of strategic planning for information systems were discussed and the need for a new paradigm, viz. complexity was pointed out. The concept of Class of a Complex System was introduced and a model for analysing complexity was given. The implications of the complexity model in the context of strategic planning were considered and a few actions, which draw upon the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) approach, were suggested for information system planners.