Are AI agents ready to play?

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization:  Anthropic PBC (in collaboration with The Wall Street Journal)Project type :  Autonomous AI agent managing a real-world businessProject name : Project VendDate : Dec 2025Cost : N/A Synopsis : To make good decisions in complex environments, leaders and Artificail Intelligence (AI) systems require situational awareness — the ability to in...
Read More

Denver Airport – Baggage Handling System

Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world. Denver Airport AuthorityProject: Construction of a new baggage handling system (sub-project in the development of the complete new airport)Date: 1992 - 1995 (with final product being fully abandoned in 2005)Cost: $520M USD Synopsis :Dysfunctional decision making is the poison that kills many a project and the Denver Airport Baggage System project in the 19...
Read More

A Bridgerton Ball takes a Fall

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Project type :  Social ballProject name : Bridgerton night Date : Sep 2024Cost : Unknown Synopsis : A hit television show like Netflix's Bridgerton is about escapism. A glimpse of the sumptuous side of Georgian England and the grace of the Regency period. After 3 seasons the show has built up a considerable following and unleashed a yearning am...
Read More

Site C Dam

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization:  BC Hydro - British Columbia, CanadaProject type :  Hydro-electric power generator and associated damProject name : Site C damDate : Jun 2023Cost : $16B CAD  Synopsis : Today's large scale civil engineering projects aren't just about engineering. They typically involve a significant public relations component as well. One such project is the Site C hydro...
Read More

Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge collapse

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization:  Bihar State Road Construction Corporation - Bihar state India Project type :  Bridge construction Project name : Aguwani-Sultanganj bridge Date : Jun 2023 Cost : $208M USD Synopsis : Humans have been building bridges for millennia and there are of course inherent risks. Today those risks are well understood and modern engineering helps ensure bridg...
Read More

Loblaws

Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world. Loblaws – Canada Project type : Business intelligence system Date : Jul 2019  Cost : Unknown Synopsis : Although it is a bit unfair to call this one a catastrophe, I've decided to list the following story because it touches on an aspect of Project Management that gets little air time; the art of post-project benefits realization. Projects are investments organizat...
Read More

Australian Stock Exchange

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization: Australian Stock Exchange (ASX Ltd) Project type : Stock trading system (using blockchain) Project name : CHESS Replacement (Clearing House Electronic Subregister System) Date : Nov 2022 Cost : Aus $250 million (plus a similar amount spent by future users of the system as they worked to integrate their systems with the new product and prepared for roll...
Read More

Scottish Ferries Fiasco

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization: CalMac Ferries Ltd Project type : Construction of two new ferries Date : Sep 2022 Cost : £340 million Synopsis : The services provided by state owned ferry operator CalMac Ferries Ltd sustain communities on 22 of Scotland’s islands. To ensure they continue to meet stakeholder needs CalMac’s fleet renewal program ordered two new boats in 2015. The £97...
Read More

Quibi

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Quibi – USA Project type : Video streaming service Date : Dec 2020 Cost : $1B estimated loss (potentially some cost recovery through subsequent sale of assets) Synopsis :   A video-streaming start-up backed by Hollywood and Silicon Valley elites. With access to a vast amount of money and an open door to the world's top talent, Quibi looked...
Read More