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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Pride of Workmanship
Synopsis: The more management focuses on product quality the greater the levels of motivation at the staff level
I've written before about how corporate cultures are formed and the massive impact they can have on the outcomes an organization achieves. My hypothesis is that in the longer term organizations with healthy, positive cultures (that are properly aligned with the organization's desired outcomes) are more productive and successful than organizations in which the culture is negative an...
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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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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 f...
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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' proj...
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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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Berlin Brandenburg Airport
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Berlin - Germany
Project type : Airport Construction
Project name : Brandenburg airport
Date : Ongoing Cost : 5B Euro
Synopsis :
Normally known for their efficiency and engineering prowess, the new airport in Berlin is a rare example of a troubled infrastructure project from the Federal Republic of Germany. Perhaps "Brandenbug" rather than "Brandenburg" ...
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State of Oregon
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” - a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Oregon Health Authority - USA
Project type : e-Commerce marketplace
Project name : Cover Oregon
Date : Apr 2014 Cost : $248M
Synopsis :
The problems implementing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the USA have been well documented. Intended to expand the availability of health insurance to a larger number of people, ACA gave individual states the choice of...
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