Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Lululemon Athletica Inc.Project type: Fashion design / launchProject name: Get low collectionDate: Jan 2026Cost: Not disclosed
Synopsis:
Successful product launches require alignment between innovation, quality control, brand expectations, and governance. Lululemon’s Get Low collection demonstrates how even well-resourced organizations can...
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Failed private sector project
Squeezing your customer
Following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed and troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: WestJet AirlinesProject type: Aircraft interior reconfiguration / product redesignProject name: Ultra-basic economy seating rolloutDate: 2025 – 2026Cost: Not disclosed
Synopsis:
To succeed in complex environments, project leaders must balance financial objectives with human factors, regulatory constraints, and publ...
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Are AI agents ready to play?
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Anthropic PBC (in collaboration with The Wall Street Journal)Project type : Autonomous AI agent managing a real-world businessProject name : Project VendDate : Dec 2025Cost : N/A
Synopsis :
To make good decisions in complex environments, leaders and Artificail Intelligence (AI) systems require situational awareness — the ability to in...
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A Bridgerton Ball takes a Fall
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Project type : Social ballProject name : Bridgerton night Date : Sep 2024Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
A hit television show like Netflix's Bridgerton is about escapism. A glimpse of the sumptuous side of Georgian England and the grace of the Regency period. After 3 seasons the show has built up a considerable following and unleashed a yearning am...
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Super-League Soccer
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Super League
Project type : Establishment of a new professional sports league
Project name : Super League
Date : Apr 2021
Cost : Unknown
Synopsis :
The public announcement of a new project can be a significant milestone. It’s an opportunity to draw media attention and generate some buzz about an upcoming product. When done well it leaves the target ...
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The Dyson Electric Car
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization: Dyson Ltd – UK
Project type : Development of an electric car
Project name : The Dyson
Date : Oct 2019
Cost : £500M
Synopsis :
The future of transportation is here to see and it is of course electric! As a result, the development of electric cars has been a growth area for the past ten years and the pace of change continues to grow.
That growth and...
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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 halls, community ce...
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London City – Garden Bridge
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Garden Bridge Trust – UK
Project type : Bridge design & construction
Date : Apr 2017
Cost : £53M (including £43M of public funds)
Synopsis :
New York has its 'High Line', Seoul has its 'Sky Garden', Paris has its 'Promenade Plantée' and London nearly had it's 'Garden Bridge'. Elevated, elongated city parks are a draw for both tourists and locals alike. An oasis...
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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 relies on givin...
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Boeing 737-MAX
The following entry is a record in the “Catalogue of Catastrophe” – a list of failed or troubled projects from around the world.
Organization : Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Project name : 737-MAX
Project type : Commercial aircraft design
Date : Apr 2019
Cost : 346 lives lost
Synopsis :
Designing and building today's commercial aircraft must be among the most complex projects in the modern age. The two leading players in the industry are America's Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Europe's Airb...
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