A managerial perspective on factors leading to failure in information technology projects

[摘要] English: This research is based on data collected between April and May 2004from 150 sample companies registered at the Johannesburg StockExchange.The study was organised into six chapters. The first chapter presents theresearch design, a framework that guides the research from beginning toend. Chapter two presents the theoretical background of projectmanagement. Then follows the secondary data findings about IT projectsand the factors that lead to failure in IT projects. Chapter four presentsthe research design and methodology follow this. In the fourth chapterdesign issues such as data collection techniques, sample design andresearch instruments implemented are described. Following this primarydata analysis is presented. Finally the study ends with the presentationof findings, a conclusion and recommendations.The research results show that- the overall IT project performance has improved to higher degreethan was previously reported- a high number of projects still exceed the budget, fall behindschedule and fail to provide the expected benefit- on average, 25 % of IT project work requires reworking- human resource related (people related) problems are the firstpredictors of the overall IT project failure, followed by projectmanagement related problems- the project managers lack the soft and managerial skills necessaryfor managing IT projects- despite their positive view of project management tools andtechniques, the project managers hardly use the projectmanagement tools and techniques in practice.- There was no statistically significant performance differencebetween in-house and out sourced projects.- Poor planning and poor business case were the foremost predictorsof failure according to the ranking of the project managers.And the most important recommendations are:- The alignment of IT project goals with overall business strategy andgoals,- having a good start backed by the clear definition of requirementsand clear project definition,- ensure a general consensus is reached on project success criteria,- manage risk continuously,- end-users should be involved for greater success,- a sound project management methodology should be applied at alltimes,- project managers should be developed and empowered toimplement the project management methodology.

[发布机构] University of the Free State