Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
US Army - USA
Project type : Design and deploy new uniforms
Project name : Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP)
Date : Jun 2012 Cost :$5B
Synopsis :
After several years of use the US Army elects to ditch its Universal Camouflage Pattern uniforms because they make troops easier to see rather than less easy to see. Designed to be a standard uniform that would pr...
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Department of Homeland Security – Cook Country
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Homeland Security - USA
Project type : Integrated security system
Project name : Project Shield
Date : Jan 2012 Cost :$45M
Synopsis :
A project aimed at providing live camera links from police cars and other fixed locations to a central command location fails to achieve the desired results. Equipment failures, poor planning and poor training me...
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The Sink Side of “Sink or Swim”
Lesson learned: Quantify a candidate's experience.
Category: Leadership development / hiring.
The following post is a "Lesson Learned" that comes from the analysis of the failed projects documented in the "Catalogue of Catastrophe" or from the experiences the editorial team have had working with clients around the world. The post is published here to spark discussion and help individuals and organizations think about what it takes to improve project success rates.
Everyone understands...
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US Census – Field Data Collection Automation (FDCA) – Case Study
Case study has moved please click here
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The Fast Forward Freeze-Out
The following entry is a part of the Pattern Library. The library records samples of the common patterns of behaviour that set the context within which the chances of project failure are increased.
Name : The Fast Forward Freeze Out
In brief :
A sponsor accelerates progress in the planning of a project by freezing out the stakeholders. Failure to engage and understand stakeholder requirements however results in products being produced that fail to meet the needs of the stakeholders....
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Department for Communities and Local Government – UK
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department for Communities and Local Government - UK
Project : FiReControl
Project type : Integration of emergency services dispatch centres
Date : Sep 2011 Cost : £460 GBP
Synopsis :
Efforts to integrate 46 regional emergency response control rooms with 8 integrated centres is abandoned after 6 years of effort and £460 GBP ($727) is spent. Although const...
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BC Ferries
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
BC Ferries - Government of British Columbia - Canada
Project : Fast ferries
Project type : Design, build, deploy high speed ferries
Date : Jun 2002 Cost :$460M CAD
Synopsis :
Driven in part by congestion problems being experienced at one of the main ferry terminals in Vancouver British Columbia, the government of British Columbia decided that a new fleet o...
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Victoria Police Department
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Victoria Police Department - Australia
Project : LINK
Project type : Law enforcement assistance program
Date : Apr 2011 Cost :$100M AUD
Synopsis :
Project aimed at implementing a new Law Enforcement Assistance Program to replace an 18 year old system are suspended for 6 months due to technical and cost related issues. The implementation of a package sys...
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Department of Defence – Australia – Landing Craft
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Defence - Australia
Project type : Design and development of naval vessels
Date : Feb 2011 Cost :$40M AUD
Synopsis :
Australian Defence Minister scraps a $40M project to build 6 new landing craft for use by the Australian Navy. The boats were to be launched from a larger transport ships (HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla) which are already in serv...
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City of New York
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
City of New York - USA
Project : CityTime
Project type : Employee time recording
Date : Dec 2010 Cost :$540M over original budget
Synopsis :
City's new time recording system for employees goes 10 times over budget and is delivered 6 month late. The 10 year project was originally estimated at $63M but ended up costing in excess of $600m. Although the system...
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