Decentralizing the Information Systems Function: What and How Much to Take Back

Russell Ackoff, in his often cited article “Management Misinformation Systems’, discussed some problems that were associated with the highly centralized and tightly controlled data processing departments that existed during the 1960’s. Many of those problems are currently being addressed as users undertake more of the responsibility for the dissemination of information technology. However, the jury is still out on the benefits of decentralization. This article discusses many of the problems associated with the decentralization phenomenon, as well as recommending how one might deal with many of these organizational issues.