The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and the success of Information Technology (IT) projects. The study also seeks to find other critical success factors (CSFs) that influence IT projects success. What initiated this study, with reference to the literature review, is the apparent general view that IT project deliveries are still late, over budget, and unpredictable (Chow & Cao, 2008:961; The Standish Group, 2004). To some extent, the entire project fails before delivering an application. Hence this causes the need to investigate the employment of SDMs and their belief that SDMs improve quality in the development of IT projects and permit more flexible deployment to IT projects (Idea Group Publishing, 2006:13; Dyba et al., 2005:447; Mihailescu & Mihailescu, 2009:1). However, SDMs are still less popularly used (Siau & Tan, 2005:3132; Masrek I., 2008:137). The study provides insight into the relationship between SDMs and the IT projects. A survey using a questionnaire was carried out to obtain the data. The study employed a positivist paradigm and used a quantitative approach. A total of 132 questionnaires were returned from systems developers, IT project managers and team leaders from system development companies. It was found that there is a relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and IT project success. Despite recognizing the benefits and advantages of using SDMs, some respondents disclosed that they were not inclined to employ SDMs and the popular reason was that their profile of development projects didn‟t require the use of SDMs. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship. Consequently, the top ten CSFs were observed and it was found that “identifying potential risk” and “opportunity” were the most favourable factors. The study could have obtained richer and more insightful information regarding SDMs and critical success factors if more data had been collected. Future work should seek to determine the risks, challenges and problems associated with the adoption of SDMs. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and the success of Information Technology (IT) projects. The study also seeks to find other critical success factors (CSFs) that influence IT projects success. What initiated this study, with reference to the literature review, is the apparent general view that IT project deliveries are still late, over budget, and unpredictable (Chow & Cao, 2008:961; The Standish Group, 2004). To some extent, the entire project fails before delivering an application. Hence this causes the need to investigate the employment of SDMs and their belief that SDMs improve quality in the development of IT projects and permit more flexible deployment to IT projects (Idea Group Publishing, 2006:13; Dyba et al., 2005:447; Mihailescu & Mihailescu, 2009:1). However, SDMs are still less popularly used (Siau & Tan, 2005:3132; Masrek I., 2008:137). The study provides insight into the relationship between SDMs and the IT projects. A survey using a questionnaire was carried out to obtain the data. The study employed a positivist paradigm and used a quantitative approach. A total of 132 questionnaires were returned from systems developers, IT project managers and team leaders from system development companies. It was found that there is a relationship between systems development methodologies (SDMs) and IT project success. Despite recognizing the benefits and advantages of using SDMs, some respondents disclosed that they were not inclined to employ SDMs and the popular reason was that their profile of development projects didn‟t require the use of SDMs. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the relationship. Consequently, the top ten CSFs were observed and it was found that “identifying potential risk” and “opportunity” were the most favourable factors. The study could have obtained richer and more insightful information regarding SDMs and critical success factors if more data had been collected. Future work should seek to determine the risks, challenges and problems associated with the adoption of SDMs. / MSc (Computer Science), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013