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...
More

Panorama

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization: Project type : Integrated Public Health Information System Project name : Panorama Date : Apr 2020 Cost : $115M Synopsis : Audit reports can be a gold mine of information that reveal insights into the status of a project. One such report that caught my eye this week covers an IT system developed in Canada to help identify, manage and tra...
More

Police Scotland

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization: Scottish Police Authority – UK Project type : Policing information management system Project name : i6 Date : Mar 2017 Cost : £200m lost opportunity Synopsis : While I often write about the direct impacts failed projects have on an organization it is also worth remember that each failed project is an investment that failed to yield its inte...
More

Iowa Caucus

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Democratic Party of Iowa – USA Project type : Election vote tally system Date : Feb 2020 Cost : A major embarrassment Synopsis : Looking for a way to embarrass yourself on election night - There's an app for that! With the world watching, the first tentative steps towards America's November 2020 Presidential election were taken in the school hall...
More

Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Organization: Lidl Stiftung & Co. KG - Germany Project name : eLWIS (apparently pronounced “Elvis” in German) Project type : Merchandise management system - Grocery stores Date : Aug 2018 Cost : €500m Synopsis : When it comes to selling the basic commodities of life you have to be lean and efficient. The grocery industry runs on thin margins and reli...
More

Texas Child Support Enforcement System 2.0

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. State of Texas – USA Project name: T2 - Texas Child Support Enforcement System 2.0 Project type: Government policy implementation using IT Date: Apr 2019 Cost   $367.5 million Synopsis: At times failed projects do throw up some great quotes. Rep. Giovanni Capriglione of the Texas state senate has contributed to that legacy with this week’s quip about t...
More

Phoenix Failing

The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world. Department of Public Works and Government Services - Canada Project type : New payroll system Project name : Phoenix Date : Jul 2016 Cost : $2B + Synopsis : A Phoenix is supposed to rise from the flames. Instead of rising, Canada's new federal government payroll system (called Phoenix) seems to be stuck firmly in the flames. According to reports from the...
More

Los Angeles Unified School District

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 Unifie...
More

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 ...
More

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...
More