The Life Cycle approach to Information Systems Development involve the following stages:
1. Project Proposal
2. Capacity Assessment
3. Planning
4. Design
5. Development
6. Testing
7. Implementation
8. Maintenance and Monitoring
Information and communication technology plays an important role in the society. Information Systems are one of the elements of information and communication technology that influence the lives of the people. Information systems projects always and everywhere around the world have a reputation for failure, i.e, unused, partially used, cancelled and many other factors. Each project differs from another even if it is for the same system because each project has its own requirements, project management, users, organization culture, team skills, and knowledge and many other aspects that are linked directly to the organization and not to the project itself. Different research studies have been made which describe and summarize the most common failure factors in IS projects. Most of the results show similar failure factors but each factor can have different priorities which link to the project and the organization itself. Moreover the project and the organization always have a string relationship with each other which can shape the final outcome of the project in terms of failure or success. Majority of the research conducted regarding information systems revealed that failure or success of a project lies in the support of the top management. Any project without full commitment from the top management, in case of problems can collapse at anytime during the project life cycle.
The reasons why Information Systems Development fail are:
1. Lack of Top Management Commitment – lack of commitment from the top management is one of the most cited reasons why projects such as information systems development fail. The organization needs to align and integrate the objectives of the project into the organizational culture. The top management also needs to display commitment and support to the project.
2. Misunderstanding of Scope/Objectives/Requirements – unclear plans which lead to misunderstanding about the project’s objectives and scope can affect the success of the project. Unclear objectives and scope can lead to problems.
3. Inadequate Project Management – in order for a project to be successful, it needs to have an effective management which will steer the group/organization and guide the works of the people. The manager or leader must be qualified and must possess the necessary leadership skills.
4. Lack of End-User Commitment – resistance to change is one of the biggest threats to a project. A project will never be successful if the end-user does not support the project and resist the changes that it brings.
5. Shortage of knowledge/Skills in the Project Team – the team must be composed of different individuals with complementing skills and knowledge. A project often fails when there is a shortage of kills or knowledge and when there is a conflict between the team members.
6. Lack of Adequate Change Control – change is process that must be managed. It does not happen over night and in order for a project to be successful, the change process must be managed effectively. Lack of adequate change control often leads to poor implementation and inability to meet deadlines and to achieve the goals of the project.
7. Conflict among Stakeholders – the change cannot be facilitated when there is a conflict between the people involved in the change process. Conflicting ideas, goals and interests affect the success of the project.
8. Lack of Effective Methodologies
9. New or Radical Business Process/Task
10. Employment of New Technology
11. Number of Organizational Unites Involved
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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