What went wrong? Unsuccessful information technology projects

TLDR

Information technology project management is critical, yet a 1995 U.S. study found 31 % of software projects are canceled before completion and more than half exceed budgets by an average of 189 %. The article investigates causes of IT project failure by surveying 1,450 leading Canadian institutions. A questionnaire was distributed to 1,450 Canadian public and private institutions to collect data on IT project failures.

Abstract

Information technology (IT) project management is a crucial issue for organizations today. A 1995 study in the USA found that 31 per cent of software projects will be canceled before completion, and more than half the projects will cost an average of 189 per cent of the original estimates. This article examines the results of a survey questionnaire that was sent to Canada’s 1,450 leading public and private institutions to find the causes of IT project failure. It found that the three most common reasons for project failure are poor project planning, a weak business case, and a lack of top management involvement and support. It then outlines the reasons behind these failures, thus providing the first steps towards minimizing the risk of future failures.