A Human-Centred Analysis of Systems Development Goals, Rationality and Focus Using Principal Components Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering

The human-centred approach is a paradigm of systems development that is well suited to improving international stability. This paper consequently investigates whether or not contemporary systems development is, or has the potential to become, truly human-centred. Data originally collected as part of a multi-method critical-interpretive study of privacy in information systems development is used for the analysis. The analysis presented considers the issue of human-centredness from three complementary perspectives: (1) the goals of systems development, (2) the rationality of systems development, and (3) the focus of systems development. Principal components analysis and hierarchical clustering are used to examine the original data in terms of systems development goals, rationality and focus in order to identify the underlying latent variables, factors or clusters therein. The analysis shows clear dyadic polarisations between human-centred goals and rationalities, and more functionalistic goals and rationalities. It also shows a triadic polarisation in systems development focus regarding individual personal issues, organisational issues, and technical issues, and also how the human-centred ideal is not currently being realised in systems development practice. Finally, the paper considers the implications of the findings for human-centred systems development and its pivotal role in fostering international stability.