The research explores the process of software development in order to better understand the influences on the process. A holistic approach is adopted because it is argued that much of the literature views software development from a particular perspective. An instrumental case study was selected for study that was typical of large information-based software developments in the 1990s. The development was studied longitudinally over three years (1/11/91 - 17/2/95) to contrast predictions, actual events and post-event rationalisations. Data collected consists of key documents, transcripts of conversations with stakeholders at three sites and observations of system demonstrations. The data has been organised into a chronological story of the development told through edited extracts of documents and conversation transcripts.
The software being developed was the Multinational System, an international distributed database system for one of the operating companies, X, of a large insurance group X-Group. The Multinational System provided operational support for the underwriting process, and management information. The software was a bespoke development produced by GIS, an IT department in X-Group. A time line for the case begins with an IT strategy study when X was created and follows the progress of requirements analysis for Multinational and three phases of software prototyping, installation and use.
The research method involved analysing the chronological story using social and technical dimensions in order to construct a commentary of the influences on software conception, construction and use. An analysis of this commentary provides the findings: 12 key themes which it is suggested can be important in any large-scale software development.