The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Los Angeles Unified School District - USA
Project type : e-Enabled learning tools
Project name : Instructional Technology Initiative
Date : Apr 2015 Cost : $1.3B
Synopsis :
Bringing equal opportunity to students from all economic backgrounds is a noble and justifiable goal, but having a noble goal doesn't make a project any easier. The Los Angeles Unified School D...
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Examples of failed projects
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 bulls eye log...
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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 successes ...
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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 matter how go...
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SNCF
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français) / RFF (Réseau Ferré de France) - France
Project type : New trains
Project name : Regiolis / Regio 2N
Date : May 2014 Cost : In the region of $15B Euro
Synopsis :
Even a single missed detail has the potential to cause significant problems. Having purchased 2,000 new trains French Railway company SNCF found out h...
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British Home Office
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
British Home Office - UK
Project type : Immigration controls
Project name : e-Borders
Date : Mar 2014 Cost : £224M
Synopsis :
With changing security threats, securing a country's borders has become an ever increasing priority. The United Kingdom's efforts to secure their borders has suffered a significant set back after the now cancelled 'e-Borders' project has re...
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Sinking of the RMS Tayleur
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
White Star Line
Project name : RMS Tayleur
Project type : Passenger ship
Date : 1854 (filed under historical failures)
Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
The sinking of the White Star Line's Titanic on her first voyage is one of the world's classic disaster stories. What few people know is that the Titanic was not the first passenger liner sailing under the White St...
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State of Minnesota
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
State of Minnesota - USA
Project type : e-Commerce marketplace
Project name : The Affordable Care Act - MNsure
Date : Jan 2014 Cost : In the region of $150M USD
Synopsis :
In Oct 2013, President Obama's Healthcare.gov website caused a stir by becoming the year's biggest troubled IT project story. What got less attention was the fact that some of the US States had...
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Avon Products
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Avon Products - Canada
Project type : Product sales and ordering system
Project name : The "Promise" project
Date : Dec 2013 Cost : $100 to $125M
Synopsis :
Ding-dong - Avon calling. According to reports, a significant number of the Avon sales team in Canada will no longer be pressing any doorbells. One of the world's most established direct sales companies, Avon ...
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Healthcare.gov
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Department of Health and Human Services - USA
Project type : e-Commerce marketplace
Project name : The Affordable Care Act
Date : Oct 2013 Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
When the President of the United States has to address the issue in front of the whole nation, you know you’ve created a serious mess. The Affordable Care act of 2010 is President Obama’s signature leg...
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