Learning from Failure, Second Edition offers tools for learning from failure in the design, implementation, and operation of computer and information systems. Using real-life examples, it covers the causes of failure–from projects with unacceptable performance and design problems to projects that come in late and over budget–and offers real solutions that help business leaders and IT specialists learn from past mistakes, rather than repeat them
Book Details:
- Author: Joyce Fortune
- ISBN: 9780470862568
- Year Published: 2005
- Pages: 234
- BISAC: BUS063000, BUSINESS & ECONOMICS/Strategic Planning
About the Book and Topic:
Learning from Failure, Second Edition offers tools for learning from failure in the design, implementation, and operation of computer and information systems. Using real-life examples, it covers the causes of failure–from projects with unacceptable performance and design problems to projects that come in late and over budget–and offers real solutions that help business leaders and IT specialists learn from past mistakes, rather than repeat them
Information systems are particularly prone to failure. Some systems never materialize, others appear late and/or over budget and those that are implemented often fail to deliver the promised levels of performance. Developers and users experience the same types of problems occurring over and over again, despite the publicity given to those systems that have failed spectacularly at enormous cost.
Provides a means of analysis that promotes learning from failure with a view to preventing failure in the design, implementation and operation of information systems.
About the Author
Joyce Fortune is a senior lecturer and director of the Technology Management Discipline in the Technology Faculty of the Open University. Her teaching and research interests include systems failures, quality management and technology strategy. Her most recent papers on system failures have covered a wide range of topics including risk in project management, human rights and ethical policing, emergence and systems approaches to failure. Geoff Peters is Professor of Systems Strategy and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the Open University where he has special responsibility for the University’s strategy, planning and strategic partnerships. He also handles government negotiations and liaises with the groups that develop policy and fund further and higher education in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. A former OU Dean of Technology, his academic specialty is in systems and management. He has chaired courses on managing complexity and systems performance. His research is on failure in complex human systems. Outside the University, Peters serves on a number of national and international bodies. He completed a term as chair of the JISC Committee on Networking in 2001.