**Situational Incompetence: An Investigation into the Causes of Failure of a Large-Scale IT Project Situational Incompetence: An Investigation into the**

**Causes of Failure of a Large-Scale IT Project**

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.76791

Darryl Carlton

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Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Darryl Carlton Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76791

#### **Abstract**

Information technology (IT) projects in the government (public) sector experience significant challenges. Despite decades of research, the adoption of formal methods, the use of external suppliers and packaged software, these remediation attempts have not appeared to have reduced nor mitigated the problems faced when the public sector undertakes large IT projects. Previous studies have examined the causes of IT project failure, in particular these have focused on factor analysis. A relatively limited number of studies have investigated the contribution of IT competence, and even fewer have considered the role and contribution of non-IT executives in IT project outcomes. This study sought a deeper understanding of what drives the behaviour of large-scale IT projects, and has identified a lack of technical competence and narcissistic leadership as drivers of poor project outcomes.

**Keywords:** IT project failure, public sector waste, failed projects, governance, project management, critical success factors, situational incompetence
