A Proposed Model for Examining the Organizational Readiness Assessment of Information Systems Development: A case study of a public university

Findings of several prior studies indicate high failure rate of Information systems implementation projects in different organizations. These studies also point to the fact that many of these failures are as a result of organizational issues as well as not paying attention to current situation of the organization in early stages of Information system development, rather than technical issues. In other words, successful implementation of the information system directly depends on current situation of the organization. Regarding high required investment for implementing an information system project, it seems to be necessary to assess its current organizational readiness level. On the basis of a comprehensive reviewof various relevant models of readiness assessment for information systems development, this study has been conducted to present a model about existing realities and internal circumstances in public sector organizations and institutions with a focus on universities and higher education institutions. Based on proposed model, to assess organizational readiness, six major dimensions (Strategic, Structural, Resource, Cultural, Managerial, and Legal) were identified from the literature which was divided into 47sub-dimensions and 142 indicators. The identified indicators can be used to assess organizational readiness in order to facilitate a purposeful and ppropriate information system development and consequently to prevent wasting organizational resources. The proposed model also was used in a public university as a case study with the aim of determination of organizational readiness level and finally several action plans were suggested based on the obtained research results.