Management failures in software development projects : Two New Zealand cases

Abstract

Software development projects are inherently complex, requiring careful planning and control. Software is intangible and difficult to predict with certainty as only 9 - 16% of development projects are completed on time and budget and over half exceed their budgets by 189% or more. The failure of the Police's Integrated National Crime Information System (INCIS) project is a very publicised IT budget blowout in the New Zealand Public Sector. Others include the National Library's NSID project and the Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) projects. Private sector companies are less publicised and Telecom's computer sales and service project (CS&S or Genesis) cost between NZ$100 and NZ$200 million. Includes questions for discussion