Addressing application software package project failure : bridging the information technology gap by aligning business processes and package functionality

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An application software package implementation is a complex endeavour, and as such itrequires the proper understanding, evaluation and redefining of the current businessprocesses to ensure that the project delivers on the objectives set at the start of theproject.Numerous factors exist that may contribute to the unsuccessful implementation ofapplication software package projects. However, the most significant contributor to thefailure of an application software package project lies in the misalignment of theorganisation's business processes with the functionality of the application softwarepackage. Misalignment is attributed to a gap that exists between the business processesof an organisation and what functionality the application software package has to offer totranslate the business processes of an organisation into digital form when implementingand configuring an application software package. This gap is commonly referred to asthe information technology (IT) gap.The purpose of this assignment is to examine and discuss to what degree a supportingframework such as the Projects IN Controlled Environment (PRINCE2) methodologyassists in the alignment of the organisation's business processes with the functionality ofthe end product; as so many projects still fail even though the supporting framework isavailable to assist organisations with the implementation of the application softwarepackage.This assignment proposes to define and discuss the IT gap. Furthermore thisassignment will identify shortcomings and weaknesses in the PRINCE2 methodologywhich may contribute to misalignment between the business processes of theorganisation and the functionality of the application software package.Shortcomings and weaknesses in the PRINCE2 methodology were identified by:• Preparing a matrix table summarising the reasons for application softwarepackage failures by conducting a literature study; Mapping the reasons from the literature study to those listed as reasons for projectfailure by the Office of Government Commerce (the publishers of the PRINCE2methodology); • Mapping all above reasons to the PRINCE2 methodology to determine whetherthe reasons identified are adequately addressed in the PRINCE2 methodology.This assignment concludes by proposing recommendations for aligning the businessprocesses with the functionality of the application software package (addressing the ITgap) as well as recommendations for addressing weaknesses identified in the PRINCE2methodology. By adopting these recommendations in conjunction with the PRINCE2methodology the proper alignment between business processes and the functionality ofthe application software package may be achieved. The end result will be moresuccessful application software package project implementations.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University