Review of Why New Systems Fail: An Insider's Guide to Successful IT Projects

Why New Systems Fail: An Insider's Guide to Successful IT Projects
  • Ranking: 4.93 from 24 reviews
  • Latest Review: Jan 08, 2011
  • Offer Price: $16.49
Why New Systems Fail: An Insider's Guide to Successful IT Projects
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A Fortune 500 manufacturing company spent millions attempting to implement a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Across the globe, a 150-employee marketing firm built and tried to implement a proprietary customer relationship management (CRM) system. For two very different companies doing two very different things, the outcomes were identical. In each case, the organization failed to activate and utilize its system as initially conceived by senior management. And these two organizations are hardly alone. On the contrary, research indicates that more than three in five new IT projects fail. Many miss their deadlines. Others exceed their initial budgets, often by ghastly amounts. Even systems activated on time and under budget often fail to produce their expected results and almost immediately experience major problems. Although the statistics are grim, there is at least some good news: these failures can be averted. Organizations often lack the necessary framework to minimize the chance of system failure before, during, and after beginning IT projects. Why New Systems Fail provides such a framework, with specific tools, tips, and insight from the perspective of a seasoned, independent consultant with more than a decade of related experience. The book examines in great detail the root causes of system failures. Detailed case studies, examples, and lessons from actual system implementations are presented in an informative, straightforward, and very readable manner. More than a theoretical or technical text, this book offers pragmatic advice for organizations both deploying new systems and maintaining existing ones.

Ranking 4.93 from 24 comments

  • Brian Rosenberg at Columbus, Ohio, United States 5 Star Jan 08, 2011
    Required reading for system implementers
    Phil Simon has captured the common (yet rarely avoided) challenges that lead even the best planned system implementations to outright fail or simply never achieve their expected results. The author provides many examples from his personal experience of how projects have failed due to poor planning, politics, or unrealistic expectations. The book is a surprisingly easy read given the topic. Why New Systems Fail should be required reading for every member of a system implementation team member.
  • Another one bites the dust at United Kingdom 5 Star Jan 06, 2011
    Excellent read and useful book
    I have been working in a large IT organization for many years now and really enjoyed reading this book. Not only is it witty and well written (which is rare for these kind of books) but it is also very accurate in its depiction of day to day challenges when implementing large systems or investing in medium to large IT projects. I would recommend this book to all CIOs interested in learning from others mistakes without being bored to tears in technical jargon.
  • Michael C West at Washington, District of Columbia, United States 5 Star Dec 30, 2010
    Useful quick surprisingly enjoyable
    I found this book to be a useful, quick, and surprisingly enjoyable read for a book about systems. Having witnessed system implementations go over timeline, over budget, and not deliver what was expected I can say with conviction that system implementations are perilous and you absolutely should not believe everything you are told- especially from the people who sell them to you. Your options are to hack and survive your way through several implementations until you learn what to watch out for, or to read a book like this that will lead you to what you need to know in a few days. Simon pinpoints the places where systems projects can get derailed and provides practical ways to keep on track from beginning to end.
  • N Chhabra at Switzerland 5 Star Dec 27, 2010
    Interesting
    Simon's knowledge software implementations is evident from the first pages of this well-written book. I had always heard stories from my friends in IT about projects gone wild but never understood why this would happen. Now I do. A combination of internal politics, communication issues, staffing issues, and other people-related problems seem to all pile up. Simon captures these--and then some. Just like Bruce Webster writes in the Foreword to the book, "Simon knows where the bodies are buried."
  • B Pavo at Palo Alto, California, United States 4 Star Dec 27, 2010
    Little known facts revealed
    Having implemented several ERPs and financial packages Simon's "Why New Systems Fail" series is accurate and insightful. If only this was written 20 years ago I could have saved alot of time and done things right the first time.
  • Kenneth P Davidson at United States 5 Star Dec 11, 2010
    A must read for today s professional
    Why New Systems Fail: An Insider's Guide to Successful IT Projects was a extremely informative book and a must read for all individuals making the important IT decisions. This book gives a great insight in the decision making when you are implementing a new system. Anyone that is interested in not duplicating bad decision should read this book. When bad decisions are bad it can cost companies a great amount of money and precious time. The lessons learned from "Why New Systems Fail: An Insider's Guide to Successful IT Projects " will be something that I will be used within my future decision making process. I have already purchased a copy of this book for several of my co-workers and friends.
  • Gregory Dolecki at United States 5 Star Nov 30, 2010
    Simon does it again informative and straightforward
    In his first book "WHY NEW SYSTEMS FAIL: THEORY AND PRACTICE COLLIDE", Simon's direct and to-the-point approach provided a full-circle view of the do's and don'ts of systems implementations, while incorporating a good balance of personal experiences with real-world examples. While overcoming a sense of strange deja vu, I found that this new book examines (once again in great detail) the root causes of system failures. More importantly, it also contains a wealth of detailed case studies, examples, and lessons from actual system implementations which can be used as learning\training tools by professors, consultants and IT professionals. Finding my way though the book was easy as the reading is very informative, straightforward, and devoid of jargon.
  • Scott Erichsen at Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States 5 Star Nov 18, 2010
    Excellent
    The problem with most project management books is that they tend to be a bit theoretical, limiting their applicability in the real world. "Theoretical" is the last word that I would use to describe Why New Systems Fail. The case studies and examples serve as a nice balance to the principles Simon describes. He details precisely how and why projects go off course and, most important, provides realistic solutions. This is a compelling read and I highly recommend to anyone working on new system implementations--and maintaining existing applications.
  • Jacek Rawicki at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 5 Star Oct 14, 2010
    Excellent read for IT consultants
    I had a chance to work with Phil (the author) on one of his projects and I can say without a doubt that he really practices what he preaches. I work for a consulting company and strongly encourage anyone who either works in this field or considers hiring a consulting company to read this book. It contains several real-life case studies (from Phil's experience during years as a consultant) that show what went wrong and how it could have been avoided.
  • J Wyant at Chongqing, Chongqing, China 5 Star Oct 04, 2010
    Great read
    I have had the pleasure of knowing Phil Simon as well as had the opportunity to read his book. His written word word is just like you were sitting down and chatting with him over a cold beverage. He has a great ability of framing up a picture and painting it in with great stories of his experiences in Corporate America. Phil Simon has the true experience behind him to know what he is talking about. If you are new to IT or a business person about to implement a new business solotion - you will find this book of great value.I am not an overly technical person - and this was still a great read. Highly reccomend!

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