Project Management Considerations for Distributed Processing Applications

Abstract

Many distributed information processing systems will fail because of people and organizational problems — not technical problems. These problems can be addressed by careful skill and organizational planning, by added attention to training, and by an enhanced project management methodology. This methodology must be amended to include a strong requirement for technical architecture at the start, and for thorough systems testing at the finish. Distributed systems are more complex and, to be successful, will require more work and expertise in the central systems staff, not less. Economies of scale will keep most of the work and expertise within the central staff.