IS/IT Investment Evaluation and Benefits Realization Issues in Australia

Information systems/information technology represents substantial financial investment for many organizations. It has been shown that IS/IT investments in many organizations are huge and increasing rapidly every year and yet there is still a lack of understanding of the impact of the proper IS/IT investment evaluation processes and practices in these organizations. Thus, a survey and an in-depth case study of these practices and processes in two large governmental departments with several major IS/IT projects was conducted. The key issues presented here in some detail are of interest to practitioners concerned with making decisions about project investment and realizing benefits, as well as researchers. ACM Classification: H.0 (Information Systems – General) 1