An Assessment of ICT Project Success/Failure in Botswana

Abstract

-The purpose of this study is to assess Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project success/failure in Botswana using project metrics models. The study is confined to ICT Senior managers in the southern part of Botswana, in the city of Gaborone. The study adopted a qualitative research design. Random sampling is used to select the participants. A metrics model tool is developed and used to analyze, and interpret the data. The results of the study shows that majority of ICT/IT projects in Botswana could be successful in functionalities and best acceptable. Unfortunately when these projects are evaluated against theoretical success models and success evaluation criteria available in the literature they are not up to their full potential, hence unsuccessful. The study also reveal that senior managers are aware of the factors contributing to the project success/failure in their organizations, and are keen to deliver functional systems. Therefore they tend to forget or choose to ignore other fundamental areas of project management profession which they regard as not beneficial. The study suggests that Botswana ICT projects would succeed if top managers provide support to all technological and non-technological project initiatives within IT based organizations. Therefore, senior management should not sabotage or abandon some projects for being deemed low priority or not important to the benefits of the organization. The study thus, recommends that Botswana ICT/IT senior managers need to reassess their project evaluation and delivery framework by putting more emphasis on developing top management support adequate training of the personnel and project managers experience. The abstract should summarize the content of the paper. Try to keep the abstract below 150 words. Do not have references or displayed equations in the abstract. It is imperative that the margins and style described below be adhered to carefully. This will enable us to maintain uniformity in the final printed copies of the Journal. Papers not made according these guidelines will not be published although its content has been accepted for publication. Paper form is a necessary condition for its publication, as well as its content.