Major Causes of Software Project Failures
Lorin J. May · 2007
Most software projects can be considered at least partial failures because few projects meet all their cost, schedule, quality, or requirements objectives. Failures are rarely caused by mysterious causes, but these causes are usually discovered post-mortem, or only after it is too late to change direction. This article is based on interviews with software consultants and practitioners who were asked to provide autopsies of failed projects with which they have been acquainted. Although not a comprehensive compilation of failure causes, this article outlines several areas that should demand your attention.