Lessons learned from unsuccessful modelling interventions

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports several related failures of modelling interventions. Atrivé, an organizational consulting company, set out to adapt a canonical housing association model named ITS to the specific circumstances of its clients. The ITS adaptation process, however, demonstrated rather annoying dynamics and finally had to be terminated due to negative business results. This paper provides a background on the relevance of failure case studies and ventures into the symptoms and warning signs. We reflect on a systems thinking intervention within Atrivé to learn from these experiences and improve business strategy. The problems encountered correspond to several archetypes. We end this paper by summarizing several known and one possibly new factor in explaining failure of modelling projects and pose several questions for further research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.