Achieving strategic benefits from business IT projects : the critical importance of using the business case across the entire project lifetime
- Einhorn, Frank, Marnewick, Carl, Meredith, Jack
- Authors: Einhorn, Frank , Marnewick, Carl , Meredith, Jack
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Project governance , Business case , Process group
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403590 , uj:33826 , Citation: Einhorn, F., Marnewick, C. & Meredith, J. 2019. Achieving strategic benefits from business IT projects : the critical importance of using the business case across the entire project lifetime.
- Description: Abstract: Business projects with an information technology component are referred to here as ‘business IT’ projects. Their success rate is found to be unsatisfactory, resulting in wasteful expenditure running to billions of dollars annually. Literature indicates that sound business cases, used effectively throughout the project lifetime, underpin governance and have a major positive impact on the project success rate. However, it also suggests that business case processes are seldom used properly. The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which business case processes are used in practice, and to understand the implications of the pattern that emerges. The data analysis from a survey reveals that business case usage diminishes significantly after approval is given to proceed, with potentially serious negative consequences. The findings give valuable insights to management as to the required processes and how to avoid the prevailing pitfalls and achieve the intended strategic project benefits.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Einhorn, Frank , Marnewick, Carl , Meredith, Jack
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Project governance , Business case , Process group
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/403590 , uj:33826 , Citation: Einhorn, F., Marnewick, C. & Meredith, J. 2019. Achieving strategic benefits from business IT projects : the critical importance of using the business case across the entire project lifetime.
- Description: Abstract: Business projects with an information technology component are referred to here as ‘business IT’ projects. Their success rate is found to be unsatisfactory, resulting in wasteful expenditure running to billions of dollars annually. Literature indicates that sound business cases, used effectively throughout the project lifetime, underpin governance and have a major positive impact on the project success rate. However, it also suggests that business case processes are seldom used properly. The goal of this study is to determine the extent to which business case processes are used in practice, and to understand the implications of the pattern that emerges. The data analysis from a survey reveals that business case usage diminishes significantly after approval is given to proceed, with potentially serious negative consequences. The findings give valuable insights to management as to the required processes and how to avoid the prevailing pitfalls and achieve the intended strategic project benefits.
- Full Text:
Effective use of the business case to enhance the success rate of business / information technology projects
- Authors: Einhorn, Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Information technology projects , Information technology projects - Management , Project management , Business enterprises , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271762 , uj:28910
- Description: Ph.D. (IT Management) , Abstract: This thesis is about what needs to be in place for the business case to be used effectively in business projects that use information technology (referred to as ITB projects) and hence contribute to their success. Success in this context refers to project success, product success, business success and often also strategic success. The thesis is based largely on a review of representative literature. It outlines the purposes of a business case for individual projects as well as for a portfolio of projects. It shows how sound governance is not only mandated for organisations in South Africa via the King IV provisions, but also contributes to project success. The business case emerges as a key input to such governance. Simply put, the organisation needs to understand the ongoing justification for projects and also to prioritise multiple projects to optimise strategic objectives. The word ‘ongoing’ is important, as literature emphasises that business requirements, which apply to all organisations, including government, are constantly changing. It is found from literature that it is difficult to follow business case processes and that in practice the business case is seldom used effectively throughout the lifetime of the project from inception to benefits realisation. The remainder of the research sought to determine what organisations can do to rectify the situation and enhance their success rate. This was done progressively by getting a better understanding of business case processes and then the information that the processes interact with. The research shows how additional information is needed during planning, execution and benefits realisation. However, knowing the business case processes and the information required is necessary but not sufficient. There are many organisational factors that need to facilitate the effective use of the business case and hence sound governance. Having researched the facilitating factors from literature, a business case effectiveness model is proposed showing how the processes, information and factors combine. The aim of the model is to increase awareness and understanding and hence enable organisations to get value, at acceptable cost, from use of the business case. Field research was then done to assess the presence and importance of the factors and to relate them to the use of business case processes. It was possible to reduce the facilitating factors to eight major factors and to use the major factors to validate the business case effectiveness model.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Einhorn, Frank
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Information technology projects , Information technology projects - Management , Project management , Business enterprises , Success in business
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/271762 , uj:28910
- Description: Ph.D. (IT Management) , Abstract: This thesis is about what needs to be in place for the business case to be used effectively in business projects that use information technology (referred to as ITB projects) and hence contribute to their success. Success in this context refers to project success, product success, business success and often also strategic success. The thesis is based largely on a review of representative literature. It outlines the purposes of a business case for individual projects as well as for a portfolio of projects. It shows how sound governance is not only mandated for organisations in South Africa via the King IV provisions, but also contributes to project success. The business case emerges as a key input to such governance. Simply put, the organisation needs to understand the ongoing justification for projects and also to prioritise multiple projects to optimise strategic objectives. The word ‘ongoing’ is important, as literature emphasises that business requirements, which apply to all organisations, including government, are constantly changing. It is found from literature that it is difficult to follow business case processes and that in practice the business case is seldom used effectively throughout the lifetime of the project from inception to benefits realisation. The remainder of the research sought to determine what organisations can do to rectify the situation and enhance their success rate. This was done progressively by getting a better understanding of business case processes and then the information that the processes interact with. The research shows how additional information is needed during planning, execution and benefits realisation. However, knowing the business case processes and the information required is necessary but not sufficient. There are many organisational factors that need to facilitate the effective use of the business case and hence sound governance. Having researched the facilitating factors from literature, a business case effectiveness model is proposed showing how the processes, information and factors combine. The aim of the model is to increase awareness and understanding and hence enable organisations to get value, at acceptable cost, from use of the business case. Field research was then done to assess the presence and importance of the factors and to relate them to the use of business case processes. It was possible to reduce the facilitating factors to eight major factors and to use the major factors to validate the business case effectiveness model.
- Full Text:
The business case thrives on relevant information
- Marnewick, Carl, Einhorn, Frank
- Authors: Marnewick, Carl , Einhorn, Frank
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294922 , uj:32099 , Abstract: Marnewick, C. & Einhorn, F., 2019, ‘The business case thrives on relevant information’, South African Journal of Information Management 21(1), a978. https://doi.org/10.4102/ sajim.v21i1.978 , ISSN: 1560-683X (Online) , ISSN: 2078-1865 (Print)
- Description: Abstract: In recent years, much has been written about how to present a compelling business case. But, if just one critical piece of information is overlooked, it can lead to the wrong decision being taken. This article aims to minimise the risk. It stems from research conducted into how the business case can be used more effectively to improve the success rate of information technology (IT) or information technology or business (ITB) projects. The business case, usually a document, indicates whether the investment in money and resources is justified, prior to or at any time during the project. ‘Effective use’ involves using certain business case processes throughout the ITB project’s lifetime. Here, the life cycle refers only to the IT component of the project. The lifetime is longer, extending from initial proposal until all benefits have been realised. However, it is found that the processes are not easy to adhere to, a probable cause being the lack of relevant information.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marnewick, Carl , Einhorn, Frank
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294922 , uj:32099 , Abstract: Marnewick, C. & Einhorn, F., 2019, ‘The business case thrives on relevant information’, South African Journal of Information Management 21(1), a978. https://doi.org/10.4102/ sajim.v21i1.978 , ISSN: 1560-683X (Online) , ISSN: 2078-1865 (Print)
- Description: Abstract: In recent years, much has been written about how to present a compelling business case. But, if just one critical piece of information is overlooked, it can lead to the wrong decision being taken. This article aims to minimise the risk. It stems from research conducted into how the business case can be used more effectively to improve the success rate of information technology (IT) or information technology or business (ITB) projects. The business case, usually a document, indicates whether the investment in money and resources is justified, prior to or at any time during the project. ‘Effective use’ involves using certain business case processes throughout the ITB project’s lifetime. Here, the life cycle refers only to the IT component of the project. The lifetime is longer, extending from initial proposal until all benefits have been realised. However, it is found that the processes are not easy to adhere to, a probable cause being the lack of relevant information.
- Full Text:
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