Systems development methodologies: the problem of tenses

This paper presents two fundamental arguments. Firstly, it is proposed that most of the currently-available systems development methodologies are founded on concepts which emerged in the period from about 1967 to 1977. This argument is presented through the use of literature references. The second argument is that the profile of the development environment now faced in organisations is very different from that which prevailed in the period 1967 to 1977. This is illustrated through original empirical research carried out by the author which supports this argument, and by contrasting these findings with those of previous studies in the literature. It is therefore argued that there is a need to update ‘tenses’ by deriving new methodological canons more appropriate to the needs of the current development environment. Some suggestions for new methodological canons appropriate to the current development environment are provided.