Putting soft Operational Research OR methods to work: Information systems strategy development at Sainsbury’s

The development of a new information systems (IS) strategy for a major UK food and grocery retailer is described. The approach taken was highly participative and made use of a number of models and methods developed by the advocates of soft Operational Research OR and systems thinking. The resulting process was successful in delivering a strategy developed by management, with commitment to implement it. In addition, the teamwork across functional boundaries was recognized as valuable management development.