A Model for Environmentally Sustainable Information Systems Development

Abstract

Environmental issues have proved to be neither an important concern nor a major topic in the process of developing information systems (IS). The focus, if there is one, is often limited to the recycling of printing supplies and outdated hardware items. This paper argues that recycling alone is inadequate to address the increasing environmental impact of information technology (IT) or information systems (IS), and that it is too late to address, let alone solve, the problem at the end of the product lifecycle: Environmental issues need to be addressed throughout the lifecycle of the IT/IS system, including practices regarding hardware, software, and users. This paper proposes a revised systems development lifecycle (SDLC) that considers environmental issues at every stage of the process and proposes the addition of a disposal stage as a formal, final stage of the systems development process. Environmental issues and potential actions for each stage of the new model are discussed.

• Systems development
• SDLC
• environment
• green IT
• sustainable
• sustainability
• corporate responsibility
• disposal