Lessons Learned?
This sidebar is part of the feature article "Her Majesty's Flying IT Circus"
- Planners need to have clear project objectives and milestones.
- Projects that are part of an overall strategy must clearly fit together, and those implementing the separate projects must understand this clearly.
- Carefully examine the full implications of introducing changes to IT systems, including the impact of any policy changes (like passport laws) that may affect demand for services.
- Contingency plans are essential to cover the risk that the system won't be delivered on time.
- Planners should consider whether programs with sweeping goals might be too ambitious to attempt in one project.
- Arrangements with subcontractors should include terms with both incentives to reach project goals and penalties if they don't.
- Delays in implementing projects place them at risk of being overtaken by technological developments.
