Understanding Client-Consultant Collaboration within Information Systems Design: A Case Study

Abstract

This study provides an in-depth exploration of how clients and consultants collaborate in an outsourced design project and how this collaboration influenced the emerging design of an IS artifact. Findings show that the project development method (waterfall model) chosen on a macro-level (project delivery model) can cause a ripple effect that influences the client-consultant collaboration on a micro-level (design phase), which in turn, might influence the emerging design of the IS artifact. The findings suggest that the exercised control modes start with a high degree of self-control and reasonable outcome control. However, an increase in outcome control progresses over time if the measured outcome is perceived as poor by the client. Parallelly, the desire for behavioral control becomes more present.