Visibility, Silencing, and Surveillance in an It Needs Analysis Project

Needs analysis is a process for defining what kind of information or IT solution is appropriate to a particular organizational situation. It is a common practical approach to ensuring that effective IT solutions are adopted. The argument presented in this paper is that the process may appear rational, but it also takes place in a political context. In order to explore this area, an interpretive field study of a needs analysis project was conducted, concentrating on the political context. The interpretation applies Foucault’s theory of power relations to the political context of a needs analysis project for a document control system. The project was carried out in an Australian rail organization. The field study looks at a period during which a decision was required on the most appropriate form of document control system for the organization’s needs at that time. The negotiating processes are discussed in terms of the dominant discourses that appeared to be active in the organization.