This paper presents a method for taxonomy development in information systems (IS). It argues that taxonomy development in IS has largely been ad hoc and lacks a systematic approach. The paper defines the problem of taxonomy development and proposes a method based on approaches from other disciplines. The method is demonstrated by developing a taxonomy for mobile applications, which is a complex and rapidly evolving domain. The paper also discusses the importance of taxonomies in research and management, and highlights the role of taxonomies in design science research. The paper defines taxonomy, typology, classification, and framework, noting that these terms are often used interchangeably. It discusses taxonomy development in other disciplines, such as biology and the social sciences, and identifies common approaches. The paper then presents a survey of taxonomy development literature in IS, identifying common approaches and noting the lack of a standardized method. The paper defines the problem of taxonomy development and proposes a method that is flexible, based on conceptual and empirical approaches, and includes ending conditions to determine when the taxonomy is complete. The method is described as iterative and includes both objective and subjective ending conditions. The paper concludes that a taxonomy should be concise, robust, comprehensive, extendible, and explanatory, and that the method should lead to a useful taxonomy. The paper also discusses the importance of meta-characteristics in taxonomy development, which are the most comprehensive characteristics that serve as the basis for the choice of characteristics in the taxonomy. The method is presented as a three-level model that includes conceptual, empirical, and indicator or operational levels. The paper concludes that the proposed method provides a systematic approach to taxonomy development in IS and can be used to develop new taxonomies that bring order to complex areas and potentially lead to new research directions.This paper presents a method for taxonomy development in information systems (IS). It argues that taxonomy development in IS has largely been ad hoc and lacks a systematic approach. The paper defines the problem of taxonomy development and proposes a method based on approaches from other disciplines. The method is demonstrated by developing a taxonomy for mobile applications, which is a complex and rapidly evolving domain. The paper also discusses the importance of taxonomies in research and management, and highlights the role of taxonomies in design science research. The paper defines taxonomy, typology, classification, and framework, noting that these terms are often used interchangeably. It discusses taxonomy development in other disciplines, such as biology and the social sciences, and identifies common approaches. The paper then presents a survey of taxonomy development literature in IS, identifying common approaches and noting the lack of a standardized method. The paper defines the problem of taxonomy development and proposes a method that is flexible, based on conceptual and empirical approaches, and includes ending conditions to determine when the taxonomy is complete. The method is described as iterative and includes both objective and subjective ending conditions. The paper concludes that a taxonomy should be concise, robust, comprehensive, extendible, and explanatory, and that the method should lead to a useful taxonomy. The paper also discusses the importance of meta-characteristics in taxonomy development, which are the most comprehensive characteristics that serve as the basis for the choice of characteristics in the taxonomy. The method is presented as a three-level model that includes conceptual, empirical, and indicator or operational levels. The paper concludes that the proposed method provides a systematic approach to taxonomy development in IS and can be used to develop new taxonomies that bring order to complex areas and potentially lead to new research directions.