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  • Why Projects Fail – Lack of Common Sense

    Why Projects Fail – Lack of Common Sense

    The failure rate of IT projects is a concern for any new project.  Unfortunately, this is a valid concern when you consider the failure rate is around 25% across all projects.  Small projects are more likely to succeed.  However, one in five is still likely to end in failure.

    The cost of failure can be substantial.  Although the dollar amount for small projects may be less, the impact to the business can still be crippling.  It is not uncommon for core business functions to rely on the success of these projects.

    Systems have gotten much more complicated and will continue to do so.  We have more users, more devices, more data, and more systems to integrate each year.  That adds up to more potential points of failure.  Thus, it is not likely that the failure numbers will get better.  On the other hand, a look into the reasons why projects fail reveals easy fixes.  When you distil the most common problems to their essence, the failure details are mistakes that would doom any endeavor.

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  • Chip and Pin – Why Bother?

    Chip and Pin – Why Bother?

    If you work in retail or use a credit card, you have come across the latest technology: chip and pin.  In the U.S. this is a newer and less prevalent technology than it is in the rest of the world.  However, that does not diminish its importance.

    The more technical name for this technology is EMV (a shortened version of the card schemas: Europay, MasterCard, and Visa) but you can find usually find both phrases used in discussions about it.  You may wonder what good it is and why it matters.  If you are a company that accepts credit cards, this is a technology crucial to your future.  The sooner you embrace it, the better.

     

    Chip and Pin is More Secure

    Chip and pin cards are more secure than traditional card swipe solutions.  This is due to more built-in validation and verification.  Without getting too technical, the big difference is that traditional cards use only a card number and expiration date in a transaction.  The chip contains much more information that can be used to make it that much harder for hackers to fake a transaction.

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  • How to successfully use Blended Resources

    How to successfully use Blended Resources

    Any work done involving IT tends to have challenges with quality, time, and cost.  Yes, I did just list all three factors that go into any project.  The problem with many projects is that adjusting one area seems to have little effect on the other two.  Adding more to one leg of the stool can even make things worse rather than better.

    How often has a project had money poured into it only to prove it is a case of throwing good money after bad?  How often has a project extended the timeline only to have to extend again a few weeks or months later?  One way to help in all three areas is to use blended resources.

    Many large companies and vendors offer this approach.  However, when we outsource IT, it seems that teams tend to be too top or bottom heavy.  Here are some things to consider when judging blended solutions.

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