Research into information systems development (ISD) methodologies is generally restricted to the creation or elaboration of methodologies or the provision of CASE support. This paper proposes that a fruitful area of research, which will provide insights into the effectiveness of ISD methodologies, must centre on the observation of the practice of systems developers, users and managers, and the study of methodologies in use. Such a programme requires certain techniques, ideally longitudinal ethnographic case studies. Preliminary results from a couple of case studies indicate that ISD methodologies are not used as prescribed but this does not necessarily prevent the successful completion of development projects.
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