As I ponder the manyseveral challenges of a current project — which aims to convert “80 per cent of all our forms into machine-readable format” — this Wondermark cartoon reminds me that forms are only one small part of any business process or transaction.
Similarly, the Dilbert strip for 21 December 2008 has a particular resonance for me — and perhaps for others who work in large organisations? I recently worked with a colleague on compiling a history of the last decade in IT/library management at our organisation: the IT part of the publication looked very much like the list of milestones in this cartoon.
A report in the Guardian reminds us that effective project management isn’t as easy as it looks. A UK Department of Transport computer integration project was supposed to save over £50 million. It ended up costing more than £80 million and delivering less than £40 million in operational savings. As well, the new system failed to meet most of its performance targets. Ouch.
Tags: business process analysis, decision-making, bureaucracy, project management, wondermark
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