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Why IT Projects Fail
First published Nov 05

Al Neimat, Taimour

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Abstract

Researches continually show that companies have difficulty with information technology (IT) projects to complete on time or on budget. In fact many are cancelled before completion or not implemented. The data on project outcomes according to the Standish Group’s study is introduced in order to illustrate these facts.

Because project failures involving public money are documented, the failure of the Virtual Case File project for the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation is analysed and evaluated.

The most common causes for IT failures are related to project management. The primary management causes for the failure of complex IT projects as observed from the Virtual Case File example are listed. These causes are elaborated upon with some examples.

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The relevant lessons that can be derived from recognizing areas where IT projects are more likely to fail are also presented at the end of the paper.

Key Points:

  • 1. Introduction

  • 2. Failure Example of IT Project

  • 3. Why IT projects fail?

  • 3.1 Poor planning

  • 3.2 Unclear goals and objectives

  • 3.3 Objective Changes during project

  • 3.4 Unrealistic time or resource estimate

  • 3.5 Lack of executive support and user involvement

  • 3.6 Failure to communicate and act as a team

  • 3.7 Inappropriate skills

  • Conclusions

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