Any experienced executive knows that information technology (IT) projects have a high failure rate. Big IT projects can become the business equivalent of what astrophysicists understand as black holes, consuming large amounts of energy and matter. Resources get sucked in, but nothing or little emerges. Obviously, jobs do not become black holes. Without executive intervention, these jobs nearly necessarily develop into black holes.
This article sheds light on the insidious process through which jobs that devour resources, yet fail to generate business value, are created and gradually evolve into black holes. It presents a framework that explains the creation of black hole endeavors as a sequence of three phases: drifting, treating symptoms, and rationalizing continuation. The framework is illustrated through two cases: EuroBank and California DMV. The article offers a means for discovering problems at an early period and then presents recommendations to stop jobs that are escalating from becoming black holes.
PUBLICATION DATE: November 01, 2010 PRODUCT #: CMR468-PDF-ENG
This is just an excerpt. This case is about STRATEGY & EXECUTION
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