Managing End-User Development in a Client/Server Environment

Client/server computing is growing in popularity, driven by two major factors. Top management believes client/server technology saves them money, and users believe that in an environment in which the information systems department is not responsive enough, client/server computing can solve all of their needs. The major problem with client/server technology is that neither top management nor end users fully understand all that is involved in providing an organization wide computing infrastructure. As cheaper workstation technologies increase the drive for direct exploitation of available information, systems development managers (SDM) need to change their approach to end-user development. All the knowledge SDMs gained from years of handling problems in standardization, documentation, testing, maintenance, and performance should be shared with the rest of the organization. SDMs can reduce the risks of end-user development by developing an effective strategy for controls, which must both foster organizational efficiency in using limited information resources and provide support to maintain high-quality systems.