Why mega IS/IT projects fail: Major problems and what we learned from them

With a large scope and high degree of complexity, managing megaprojects is often a challenge to many project managers. Many projects fail miserably. Research has shown that success in managing megaprojects requires a great deal of coordination and collaboration which can be done through established processes, strong teams, and involvement of stakeholders. Even though these processes and approaches are known, effectively implementing them can be difficult. This study investigates the management of selected mega IS/IT projects in the US, UK, and Australia; identifies common problems; and discusses some lessons learned. Since the literature on megaprojects primarily focuses on major public infrastructure projects, the results of this study will provide significant contributions to the literature and implications to practitioners.