Question 1
This question is designed to demonstrate the importance of project management.
Software development projects often fail in some way. Schedules overrun, budgets are exceeded and delivered systems don't do what users need.
In most cases, this is because the project was not managed effectively, either by the client, the developers or both. This question makes use of the Catalogue of Catastrophe page at http://calleam.com/ WTPF/ ?page_id=3 on the International Project Leadership Academy.
We have chosen this particular website because the projects listed in the report are reasonably well known and documented. This should give ease of access to resources that you can use to investigate each case. Although some of the reports were written several years ago, the lessons learned from these cases are still relevant to project management today
Choose one of the projects from the ‘2013’ section of http://calleam.com/ WTPF/ ?page_id=3 on the International Project Leadership Academy website.
Choosing a project
Before you make your choice, we suggest you skim-read each project.
Generally speaking, it will be easier to investigate a project if there are many sources.
We particularly recommend looking for leads in Computer Weekly. You might also find The Register useful. Both reports frequently on large IT projects, including many of those in the Catalogue of Catastrophes list.
Do some internet research on your chosen project and write a short report about it. Your report should contain the following elements.
The name of the project and a brief description, including the main details and history of the project. Explain why you picked this project.
Explain the form that the problems took. Problems can include:
cost overrun
delay
cancellation
failure to meet the users’ needs
other – describe the kind of problem and explain what form it took.
If known, give the scale of the failure – for example size of cost overrun, length of delay, consequences for users.
The possible reasons for the failure, either based on information from the sources you have researched or on your knowledge of project management.
Your own conclusions including lessons learnt and recommendations for future projects of this sort.
You should reference at least one other authoritative source apart from the International Project Leadership Academy report. .
Insert a reference to the project report you have selected, the additional source you have found and any other materials you have used.
Remember to produce explanations in your own words and to use quotation marks and citations to refer to any passages of cited material. Do not forget to include references to any such material at the end of the question.
Paste this report into your solution document.
Write no more than 450 words for Question 1 (including headings and citations but not references).