CSFs and sources of CSFs

Critical success factors (CSFs) are the limited number of areas in which satisfactory results will ensure successful performance for an organisation or project. They need constant attention from management.

CSFs while implementing information system applications

1. Top management commitment and support: funding, authority and visible leadership.
2. Clear objectives and scope: business goals and requirements are well defined.
3. User involvement: users take part in requirements, testing and acceptance.
4. Good project management: a realistic plan, budget, schedule, risk management and a capable project manager.
5. Skilled team: technical and domain expertise, with good vendor support if outsourced.
6. Training and education: for users and operators.
7. Change management: handling of resistance and communication.
8. Quality of data and testing: accurate data conversion and thorough testing.
9. Appropriate technology: proven, scalable, compatible with existing systems.
10. Business process reengineering where needed.
11. Post-implementation support, maintenance and evaluation.

Sources of CSFs

Rockart identified the following sources:

• Industry: features of the industry that every company in it must achieve (for a bank: security, branch network).
• Competitive strategy and industry position: depend on the organisation's size, strategy and rivals.
• Environmental factors: economy, politics, regulation, technology, population (for example NRB directives).
• Temporal (time-bound) factors: short-term needs or crises, such as a system failure or sudden growth.
• Managerial position: specific to the role of a manager, for instance the production manager's focus on quality and the IT manager's on uptime.