The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Transportation Security Administration
Project type : Security system
Project name : Unknown
Date : August 2015
Cost : $160M
Synopsis :
Clearly security at major public venues is a top concern in the current global environment and airports are often at the leading edge of the fight. In the USA, the Transportation Security Administration (TS...
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Causes of failure
Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) – South Africa
Project type : Metro bus purchase
Project name : Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS)
Date : February 2015
Cost : R2 billion ZAR (approximately $130M USD)
Synopsis :
The purchase of 60 buses at a cost of R100 million (ZAR) has left the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan M...
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Target Canada
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Target - Canada
Project type : Retail store opening
Project name : Unknown
Date : Jan 2015 Cost : In the region of $7B
Synopsis :
Drawn by lower prices, it is common for Canadian families to cross over into the USA to grab their shopping. One favourite destination has always been the US retailer known as "Target". Famous for their large red and white bul...
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Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services - Canada
Project type : Welfare management system
Project name : Social Assistance Management System (SAMS)
Date : Mar 2015 Cost : $214M
Synopsis :
It's a narrative that journalists and popular opinion love to draw upon: government can't run projects. While such journalists are often overlooking the many ...
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I, We, You, Me – Observations on Team Dynamics
As with most Project Managers, I've worked directly with a lot of people and a lot of teams. As an instructor I've observed and coached even more. I've seen good teams and I've seen dysfunctional teams and over the years I've tried to understand what makes some teams work while others don't. Why do some teams gel so quickly while others never click? Why do some teams transcend individual efforts to perform as a whole, while others remain ineffectual? Why do some teams become lifelong friends and...
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Christmas Blunderland
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Christmas Blunderland - UK
Project type : An assortment of Christmas themed entertainment parks
Date : Nov-Dec - 2008, 2013 and 2014 Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
One definition of success is "meeting or exceeding expectations". Satisfy expectations of the customer or stakeholders and the project is viewed as a success. Fall short of expectations and no matt...
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Decision Defending
The following entry is a part of the Pattern Library. The Pattern Library illustrates some of the common patterns of events that have the potential to lead to project failure.
Name : Decision Defending
Type: Decision making / behavioral pattern
In brief :
A person locks in their answer to a question and shifts from trying to understand the ideas and opinions of others to promoting and defending their own idea.
Description :
Decision making in a group setting can be a frustrating ...
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IBM
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
IBM (International Business Machines) - USA
Project type : Organizational performance improvement and strategic realignment
Project name : Roadmap 2015
Date : 2010-2014 Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
Most of the projects noted in the catalogue were aimed at producing some form of product or tangible deliverable. IBM’s “Roadmap 2015” initiative is a little dif...
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The Vanishing Visionary
The following entry is a part of the Pattern Library. The Pattern Library illustrates some of the common patterns of events that have the potential to lead to project failure.
Name : Vanishing Visionary (aka dump and run)
In brief :
A Project Sponsor conceptualizes and initiates a project, but fails to follow through to ensure successful delivery. They provide the vision, assign the project to a Project Manager (dump) and then wash their hands of any further responsibility for the pr...
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Desperate for Done
The following entry is a part of the Pattern Library. The Pattern Library records the common patterns of events that have the potential to lead to project failure.
Name : Desperate for done
Scope : Behavioral pattern (patterns that influence the actions of an individual or group)
Outline :
Tracking the status of tasks is a key responsibility for the Project Manager. As part of that responsibility, Project Managers interact with the team to monitor the completion of each individual ac...
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