System Project Failure: The Heuristics of Risk

Abstract

System project failures are a well-known part of systems development; however, all the potential risks of planning and executing a project effort are not This article offers heuristic guidelines to help IS managers assess these inherent risk factors before initiating and while executing a project. Case examples illustrate how a particular risk factor can result in a failed systems development effort.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David McComb

David McComb is president of First Principles Inc, a consulting firm that specializes in the application of object-oriented technology to business systems. Previous to founding the company, McComb was a senior manager for Andersen Consulting, where for 12 years he managed major systems development projects for clients on six continents. He received a BS degree and an MBA from Portland State University.

Jill Y. Smith

Jill Y. Smith is an assistant professor of MIS in the College of Business Administration at the University of Denver. She obtained a PhD in business computer information systems from the University of North Texas. She is also a research associate in UNT's Information Systems Research Center.