Determining priorities for projects with uncertain benefits: An application to data management

It is increasingly imperative that the data resource be managed effectively. An important aspect of doing this is determination of priorities from among projects that impact or involve various facets of the data resource. Although such projects may clearly be beneficial, specification and quantitative evaluation of benefits may of necessity be highly judgmental. This paper presents a multi-stage procedure designed to accommodate the ambiguity inherent in assessing the benefits that would accrue from data management projects. At the first and last stages involvement of senior IS personnel is critical. An in-depth example is given to illustrate the several steps of the procedure.