The rate of failure of IT projects has remained little changed in survey after survey over the past 15-20 years-over 40-50%. This has happened in spite of new technology, innovative methods and tools, and different management methods. Why does this happen? Why can't the situation be better? One reason is that many think of each IT effort as unique. In reality many IT projects are very similar at a high, strategic level. Where they differ is in the people and exact events-the detail. If you read the literature or have been in information systems or IT for some time, you have seen the same reasons for failure and the same problems and issues recur again and again. In this book IT Management experts Ben Lientz and Lee Larssen show you how to identify and track the recurring issues leading to failure in IT projects and provide a proven, modern method for addressing them. By following the recommendations in this books readers can significantly reduce the risk of IT failures and increase the rate of success. Benefits of using this approach: * Issues are identified earlier-giving more time for solution and action. * Issues are resolved more consistently since the approach tracks on their repetition. * You get an early warning of problems in IT work-before the budget or schedule fall apart. * Management tends to have more realistic expectations with an awareness of issues. * Users and managers have greater confidence in IT due to the improved handling of issues. * Since the number of issues tends to stabilize in an organization, the IT organization and management get better at detecting, preventing, and dealing with issues over time-cumulative improvement. * Giving attention to issues make users more realistic in their requests and acts to deter requirement changes and scope creep.

Many IT projects fail to deliver the benefits to the business that were promised. Yet IT managers and staff work hard to meet the needs of the business: Systems are put in place; network operations are reliable and stable. The cause is usually a misalignment of IT with the business. In this book, Bennet Lientz and Lee Larssen present over 200 specific, practical guidelines and steps that show how to: align IT and the business, develop methods that make IT more proactive in helping the business, more effectively manage vendors, avoid negative surprises, ensure that more projects are completed on time and within budget, among other things. The techniques in this book have been implemented in over 60 organizations around the world and in over 20 different industries, and the authors include several examples in each chapter to illustrate their points. Follow these proven recommendations to manage IT as a business that adds value to the company.

Many IT projects fail to deliver the benefits to the business that were promised. Yet IT managers and staff work hard to meet the needs of the business: Systems are put in place; network operations are reliable and stable. The cause is usually a misalignment of IT with the business. In this book, Bennet Lientz and Lee Larssen present over 200 specific, practical guidelines and steps that show how to: align IT and the business, develop methods that make IT more proactive in helping the business, more effectively manage vendors, avoid negative surprises, ensure that more projects are completed on time and within budget, among other things. The techniques in this book have been implemented in over 60 organizations around the world and in over 20 different industries, and the authors include several examples in each chapter to illustrate their points. Follow these proven recommendations to manage IT as a business that adds value to the company.

The rate of failure of IT projects has remained little changed in survey after survey over the past 15-20 years-over 40-50%. This has happened in spite of new technology, innovative methods and tools, and different management methods. Why does this happen? Why can't the situation be better? One reason is that many think of each IT effort as unique. In reality many IT projects are very similar at a high, strategic level. Where they differ is in the people and exact events-the detail. If you read the literature or have been in information systems or IT for some time, you have seen the same reasons for failure and the same problems and issues recur again and again.
In this book IT Management experts Ben Lientz and Lee Larssen show you how to identify and track the recurring issues leading to failure in IT projects and provide a proven, modern method for addressing them. By following the recommendations in this books readers can significantly reduce the risk of IT failures and increase the rate of success. Benefits of using this approach:
-Issues are identified earlier-giving more time for solution and action.
-Issues are resolved more consistently since the approach tracks on their repetition.
-You get an early warning of problems in IT work-before the budget or schedule fall apart.
-Management tends to have more realistic expectations with an awareness of issues.
-Users and managers have greater confidence in IT due to the improved handling of issues.
-Since the number of issues tends to stabilize in an organization, the IT organization and management get better at detecting, preventing, and dealing with issues over time-cumulative improvement.
-Giving attentionto issues make users more realistic in their requests and acts to deter requirement changes and scope creep.
* Full of checklists and methods that can be used in day to day Project Management work in real companies
* Easy to read style and book organization allows the reader to jump into the book right at the point they need
* Shows how to set up an issues database for better identification and tracking of issues, providing an Early Warning System to help move the project to success

Based on the authors' combined over 75 years of travels to over 120 countries, the authors have collected hundreds of tips and travel stories. The materials have been widely tested and used by companies, individual travelers, and travel agents. Travel Fun, Travel Smart, Travel Well will provide you with: How to prevent and address over 110 common travel problems. How to plan for multiple and single trips. How to use your experience to get more out of your next trip with over 450 travel tips. How to travel safe and stay healthy. How to save money on travel. Over 80 humorous travel stories and adventures. How to avoid and deal with unpleasant surprises. Proven web sites to help you get more of your travel. Our favorite 28 countries you should not miss. How to get more out of your travel with each trip in money, time, and fun. How to use travel for self-improvement. Practical and detailed advice on: Travel Planning Organizing, Packing Air Travel And Airports Car Rental, Trains, Cabs Sightseeing Tours Hotels Cruises Dining Entertainment So that you can get: More out of your travel experiences. More fun out of travel. Fewer problems and headaches from travel. More out your travel dollar.