Why do software projects fail so often?

13 March 2006 | Teaching, To Students | 22 Comments

Why do software projects fail? What can we do to make them succeed? What is the importance of software project management?

To Software Engineering students:

Large and complex projects such as construction of highway bridges or construction of aircraft are usually delivered on time and within budget. However, big software projects are often not.

Search the Web, do a little reading, and write some short paragraphs to describe some key reasons why software projects fail so often. Also try to express your opinions on how to address them. What do you think about the importance of software project management in this aspect?

For sharing purpose, put your write-up on your weblog and let us know the URL to your post. Thank for your participation and contribution to the course so far.

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22 Comments

  1. 1

    I have posted this topic on my Blog.Please check it. Thanks!!

    Kathy on 14/3/06 @ 8:53 pm

  2. 2

    Reply to Why do software projects fail so often?

    …

    UNTITLE on 15/3/06 @ 2:06 pm

  3. 3

    Hi Steven!
    I had posted our view on my blog!
    Please feel free to visit it!

    TM on 15/3/06 @ 10:45 pm

  4. 4

    MY Blog updated !!
    Thank You~

    Mavis Ng on 15/3/06 @ 11:11 pm

  5. 5

    Why do software projects fail so often?

    …

    yanyancheng on 16/3/06 @ 10:08 pm

  6. 6

    Dear Pro. Steven,
    I have finished all blogs. Please have a look. Many Thanks~~!

    Tommy Kwok on 16/3/06 @ 10:59 pm

  7. 7

    Hi, Steven!
    Blog updated.

    PC 133 on 17/3/06 @ 5:16 pm

  8. 8

    come and take a look!

    Dennis on 28/3/06 @ 12:06 am

  9. 9

    I’ve update this question on my blog, please check, thanks.

    plum_chu on 6/4/06 @ 9:55 pm

  10. 10

    Hey Steven, I’ve finally update my accessment works, please feel free to visit:

    http://calvinatlearning.blogspot.com/

    Here is my learning blog, all my stuff are stored here.Thanks!

    Calvin on 9/4/06 @ 10:40 pm

  11. 11

    Hi steven, my blog is updated
    feel free to see
    thx!

    leeeee on 9/4/06 @ 11:08 pm

  12. 12

    Reply to “Why do software projects fail so often?”

    Bon Fung on 10/4/06 @ 11:38 pm

  13. 13

    Dear sir, My blog is updated. Thx u~

    Alex Chan on 11/4/06 @ 2:17 am

  14. 14

    updated

    Vincent Fok on 12/4/06 @ 12:54 am

  15. 15

    Updated….

    Jacky Yiu on 13/4/06 @ 7:01 pm

  16. 16

    Hi, i have updated my blog, plz have a look, thx~

    Quinnie Chung on 14/4/06 @ 2:10 am

  17. 17

    Updated

    Andrew Yiu on 17/4/06 @ 12:56 pm

  18. 18

    All have been finished.

    Kenneth on 18/4/06 @ 12:37 am

  19. 19

    updated!

    kimi on 19/4/06 @ 11:20 pm

  20. 20

    I have already upload the article about this topic. Please read it if you are free. Thanks~

    My blog about SEPM:
    http://ckinou.blogspot.com/

    思淇 on 20/4/06 @ 5:11 pm

  21. 21

    Dear Steven SIR:

    I’ve updated my weblog
    Pls FEEL free to read it.

    Thz for your notice.

    Brian Chan on 21/4/06 @ 1:06 am

  22. 22

    Projects fail because of mis-management. But not always. They typically fail in environments where management is not listening hard to the people constructing the software. If you look at very complex software projects like, e.g. Eclipse, IDEA, OpenOffice etc.. they have a different kind of delivery schedule which allows them to use test driven development and apply the Agile manifesto. When good people are carrying out this practice, your software can be of high quality AND on time.

    Skjaero on 17/12/06 @ 6:29 am