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What Is Being Iterated? Reflections on Iteration in Information System Engineering Processes

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Conceptual Modelling in Information Systems Engineering

Abstract

Iteration is a fundamental principle of information system engineering, yet the concept remains under-theorized in the literature. In this chapter we articulate a lens for studying iteration through four types of iterating artifacts: concepts, representations, instantiations, and methodologies, and we apply this lens to a variety of prescriptive approaches to system development. Our review of these approaches suggests that iteration across one artifact or set of artifacts may substitute for iterations across another. We conclude with a reflection on how it is not the presence of iteration that distinguishes between methodologies, as iteration can be assumed in all system development efforts. Rather, the attitude toward iteration that various methodologies imply, and the audience of iterations across specific artifacts that the various approaches prescribe do more to differentiate between methodologies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA

    Nicholas Berente & Kalle Lyytinen

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  1. Nicholas Berente
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  2. Kalle Lyytinen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. NTNU and SINTEF, Sem Sælandsvei 7-9, 7491, Trondheim, Norway

    John Krogstie

  2. Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen, Fosswinckelsgate 6, 5007, Bergen, Norway

    Andreas Lothe Opdahl

  3. Department of Information and Computing Sciences, Universiteit Utrecht, Centrumgebouw Noord, office B229 Padualaan 14, De Uithof, 3584CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands

    Sjaak Brinkkemper

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Berente, N., Lyytinen, K. (2007). What Is Being Iterated? Reflections on Iteration in Information System Engineering Processes. In: Krogstie, J., Opdahl, A.L., Brinkkemper, S. (eds) Conceptual Modelling in Information Systems Engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72677-7_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-72677-7_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-72676-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-72677-7

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