The NHS National Programme for Information Technology: a socio-technical systems perspective

2018 ◽  
pp. 183-204
Author(s):  
Ken Eason
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
National Programme ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Technical Systems

Introduction

2000 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Steve Clarke ◽  
Brian Lehaney
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Information Systems ◽  
Activity Systems ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Complex Adaptive ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Consensus View ◽  
Human Participants ◽  
Human Actors ◽  
Technical Considerations

This chapter seeks to cast light on the commonly encountered ‘human-centred’ versus ‘technology’ debate in information systems (IS: Clarke and Lehaney, 1998; Clarke and Lehaney, 1999; Lehaney, Clarke et al., 1999). It takes as its starting point a view which sees information systems as complex, adaptive, human activity systems, enabled by information technology (IT). Two approaches dominate in trying to understand such systems. The first redefines them as purely technical systems, for which a fixed and definable objective can be determined: from this point, the problem becomes one of design. The second approach sees the whole system through the views of the human participants: here, the problem initially is one of debate, aimed at determining a consensus view of the system of concern before moving on to designing relevant solutions. The technical view outlined above might be seen as an attempt to reduce the system’s complexity, by removing the voluntaristic, probabilistic behaviour which the human actors bring to the system. Once this is done, more technologically focused IS managers are on comfortable ground, having redefined the system as one which is highly deterministic, and for which a solution can be achieved through the design of a new or improved system. Similarly, the human-centred view may be seen as excluding technical considerations in order to reach agreement on the part of participants before proceeding further.

Understanding the Context of Large-Scale IT Project Failures

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliot Rich ◽  
Mark R. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Model ◽  
It Projects ◽  
Dramatic Effect ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Project Failures ◽  
Project Characteristics ◽  
It Application ◽  
The U.S

Large-scale information technology (IT) projects experience higher failure or abandonment rates than smaller IT projects and represent significant costs to both organizations and society. This paper describes the context of a three-decade long attempt to modernize a critical IT application in the U.S. government. The project has been revamped, stopped and restarted several times, and as of the writing of this paper has not been completed. Archival analysis of this implementation history reveals a set of emerging project characteristics and how these contributed to a pair of capability gaps which, in turn, influenced modernization efforts both pre- and post-abandonment. From a systems perspective, the problem appears to be related to dynamic and repeating management failures with an embedded project management model. The authors illustrate their hypothesis with a simulation model of project managements and show that even a relatively small but persistent introduction of new requirements has a dramatic effect on project overruns, setting the stage for abandonment and restart.

The Use of the Project Method in Teaching Programming Languages

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-21
Author(s):  
Сергей Гуриков ◽  
Sergey Gurikov
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Programming Languages ◽  
Production Management ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Project Method ◽  
Processing Information ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Level Of Training

The article deals with one of the methods of overcoming the low quality level of training of former students, and now fi rst-year students, in the field of information technology through targeted training in programming languages with the help of practice-oriented projects. The implementation of the main didactic units in the form of a single project contributes to the development of pupils’ competences in searching, storing and processing information, forming and developing a creative approach to solving the set task. The article gives examples to illustrate the practical component of the work performed on the technology described in the article. The considered algorithm of the project method is successfully used by the author in the process of teaching disciplines in the fi eld of “Automation of technological processes and production”, “Management in technical systems” at the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Informatics, it can be also used in teaching high school students in the classroom of Informatics.

The Biggest Computer Programme in the World…Ever!’: Time for a Change in Mindset?

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Clegg ◽  
Craig Shepherd
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Computer Programme ◽  
National Programme ◽  
Technology Project ◽  
Business Change ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The World ◽  
Change Projects ◽  
The Uk

In this paper we offer a critique of The National Programme for Information Technology’ (NPfIT) currently being undertaken in the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. We begin by offering a brief introduction to the project. Next, we review the lessons learned from a wide range of experience with IT and business change projects and comment on why changes in the NHS are likely to be harder than in most other organizations. We then elaborate the implications of these ideas and identify potential areas for change, with particular focus on the current guiding mindset that this project is about the provision of a technical infrastructure. We argue that this is, thus far, a technology project and question whether the current strategy is the most appropriate way forward to achieve service improvements. We suggest changes in the underlying mindset, along with the leadership, ownership, metrics and labelling of the project.

Process Modeling in the Operating Room: A Socio-Technical Systems Perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M. Bonzo ◽  
David McLain ◽  
Mark S. Avnet
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Process Modeling ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Technical Systems

Local Sociotechnical System Development in the NHS National Programme for Information Technology

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ken Eason
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
System Development ◽  
Systems Design ◽  
Electronic Systems ◽  
Design Work ◽  
National Programme ◽  
Sociotechnical System ◽  
Sociotechnical Systems Design ◽  
The Impact

The National Programme for Information Technology is implementing standard electronic healthcare systems across the National Health Service Trusts in England. This paper reports the responses of the Trusts and their healthcare teams to the applications in the programme as they are being implemented. It concludes that, on the basis of the data available, it is likely that the emergent behaviour of healthcare staff will serve to minimise the impact of the systems. The paper looks at the opportunities within the programme to undertake local sociotechnical system design to help staff exploit the opportunities of the new electronic systems. It concludes that there are opportunities and offers one case study example in a Mental Health Trust. However, it concludes that there are many aspects of the technical systems themselves and also of the approach to implementation, that limit the opportunities for local sociotechnical systems design work.

scholarly journals Lateral Pressure and Deforestation A Review Essay of Environmental Impacts of Globalization and Trade: A Systems Study by Corey L Lofdahl

2003 ◽  
pp. 393-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew K. Jorgenson
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Review Essay ◽  
Lateral Pressure ◽  
Political Scientist ◽  
World Systems ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Technology Sector ◽  
Systems Perspective ◽  
Systems Research

What are the effects of increased stuctural integration of international trade on the environment of relatively poorer countries, particularly in the southern hemisphere? This is the key question addressed by Corey Lofdahl in his book Environmental Impacts of Globalization and Trade:A Systems Study. Given the theme for this special issue of the Journal of World-Systems Research, a discussion and evaluation of this book seems rather timely and relevant. An immediate fact of interest is that Lofdahl is not an environmental sociologist, let alone acquainted with relevant empirical works grounded in a world-systems perspective. Rather, he is trained as a political scientist, and works in the simulation and information technology sector.

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