Making a Case: Lawsuits Make Failed Projects Worse

Kim Nash   Today’s Top Stories    or  Other Outsourcing Stories  

Sign up to receive Security Resource Alerts

February 12, 2001 (Computerworld) -- Lawsuits often follow failed IT projects. But before choosing to sue, plaintiffs tend to call in professional expert witnesses to paw through the project remains and figure out whether there's a good case, according to Reed Simpson, vice president of Computer/Legal Consultants Inc. in Harrison, Idaho.
Computerworld's Kim S. Nash recently talked with Simpson, a 35-year IT veteran, about how user companies can lose cases before they even get to court.

Q: What happens when you come in, after either the user or the vendor decides to sue?
A: I have to determine if there's enough blame that can be passed around and whether it can be documented. I have to be able to advise [user companies about] how vulnerable they are.

Q: Vulnerable? How so?
A: Sometimes, simply because a company doesn't keep records of the dispute as it progresses. In other cases, they are as much to blame as the people they're blaming it on.
When it gets to the point where they think they will sue, then top management is involved and has been told certain things. And most likely, they don't have direct involvement in the project. It's not unusual for me to find out that the people who told top management things are trying to hide the facts and blame the problems on someone else.

Q: What's your best advice on how users can avoid setting themselves up for failure?
A: No. 1, if you're going to buy a software package, your first objective should be [to] find one that meets as many of your needs as possible - then don't change anything. Given that that's not always practical, if possible, you need to change your way of doing business to match the package. You wouldn't consider buying a new car, then two days later changing the engine or changing the wheels.
The vendors, because they always want to say "No problem," will always agree to change the package to the perceived needs of the [user] company. The company, because it always wants what it's used to, will ask the vendors to make changes. Both are at fault. The minute you cause a vendor to open that package and start making changes, you're in trouble.

Print this Story

Send Us Feedback

E-mail this Story

Digg this Story

Slashdot this Story

"It's IT Blogwatch: in which Hewlett-Packard is in talks to acquire Electronic Data Systems (EDS to you and me). Not..." Read more... "The generation holding most corporate leadership positions today has a lot to learn from the fresh concepts that are being..." Read more... Read more Management posts or See all Blogs

Review: Which 3G network is the best? Analysis: Why Hewlett-Packard wants EDS Srizbi grows into world's largest botnet More top stories...

Hackers create their own social network Hackers hijack a half-million sites in latest attack Phishers scamming IRS rebates, Burma donors

Your help desk career: Dead end or launching pad? A role on an IT help desk is what you make of it, tech pros say — just don't get too comfy. The darker side of Webmail Web-based e-mail may be exposing you to privacy and security dangers you didn't sign up for. Performance showdown: Flash drives versus hard disk drives Ever been tempted to replace the mechanical hard drive in your laptop with a shiny new solid-state disk? Our expert did so, and here's what he found. Xerox touts erasable paper, smart documents PARC showed erasable paper and other technologies that adds intelligence to documents with raw text. Windows Vista A to Z Reviews, analyses, how-tos, visual tours, hot issues and predictions about Microsoft's new OS. More Continuing Coverage After 9/11: Homeland SecurityAsk a Premier 100 IT LeaderBlackBerry Legal BattleData Security BreachesElectronic VotingFirefoxH-1B VisasHP's Boardroom ScandalHandheld DevicesHurricane Katrina AftermathMicrosoft Legal IssuesMicrosoft's VistaOpen SourceRFID TechnologySCO's Linux FightSarbanes-Oxley ActSpamVoice Over IPWi-FiWindows Meta File VulnerabilityWindows XP Service Pack 2 IT Careers 2010 Four years from now, the IT field will be a vastly different place. Will you be ready? More Special Reports Premier 100 IT Leaders 2007 Best in Class2006 Computerworld Horizon Awards2006 Premier 100 IT Leaders2006 Salary Survey2007 Best Places to Work in IT2007 IT Forecast2007 Premier 100 IT Leaders40 Years of ComputerworldASPs, Take TwoBest Places to Work in IT 2003Best Places to Work in IT 2004Best Places to Work in IT 2005Best Places to Work in IT 2006Business Intelligence Home RunsBusiness Intelligence: Smarter BIBusiness Intelligence: The Future of BICRM Goes VerticalCRM: Sober CRMCareer Planning Guide 2005Careers: IT Profession 2010Computerworld Horizon Awards 2005Data Management: Mining for GemsData Management: Taming Data ChaosDevelopment: Hard-Workin' Web SitesDevelopment: New Tools New ChoicesDevelopment: The New World of Application DevelopmentDevelopment: The Web Services TsunamiDevelopment: Web Services HurdlesDisaster Recovery: Preparing for the WorstE-commerce Grows UpE-mail/Groupware: Big DecisionsFaces of Mobile ITForecast 2006Global MobileHardware: Multiple Cores, Multiple ChallengesHardware: On-Demand Un-HypedHardware: The Shape of Things to ComeHorizon Awards: 10 Cool Cutting Edge TechnologiesIT Management: Guide to Managing VendorsIT Management: Navigating Global ITIT Management: Recovery AheadIT Management: The Future of ITIT Management: The Resourceful Project ManagerInnovative Technology Awards 2004Management: Reinventing ITMicrosoft in TransitionMobile/Wireless Leaders and LaggardsMobile/Wireless: The Untethered WorkerMobile/Wireless: Tiny Gadgets, Huge CostsNetwork Management: Taking ControlNetworking: Turbulence Ahead!Networking: VoIP Goes MainstreamOperating Systems: In the Slow LaneOperating Systems: Linux Goes GlobalOperating Systems: Should You Nix Unix?Outsourcing: Offshore Buyer's GuideOutsourcing: Outsourcing DangersPremier 100 IT Leaders 2004 Best in ClassPremier 100 IT Leaders 2005 Best in ClassROI: Do the Math!Salary Survey 2003Salary Survey 2004Salary Survey 2005Security Action PlanSecurity: Compliance HeadachesSecurity: Proactive SecuritySecurity: Risk and RewardSecurity: Tips From Security ProsSouped-up SecurityStorage: Battling ComplexityStorage: Cheap & Secure Data StoresStorage: Stretching Your Storage DollarsStorage: The Lean Storage MachineStorage: The New Rules of StorageStorage: The Ultimate Backup GuideSupply Chain: Missing LinksSupply Chain: RFID Reality CheckThe Business of SecurityWeb 2.0 SecurityWireless: Wireless At Work All Zones Application Performance Zone Enterprise-Class Security Zone Enterprise Solutions Zone The File Data Management Zone Grid Computing on Windows Zone Security Management Zone ITIL Best Practices Zone The SAS Zone Storage Virtualization Zone The Data Center Management Zone See your link here

Computerworld Report: Virtual Reality Download this Computerworld Report, free for a limited time, compliments of HP. (Source: Computerworld) The data center is real, but storage is turning virtual at many organizations that need to manage exploding storage needs. Learn how virtualizing your enterprise will save you money in this Computerworld Report, a $49.95 value, available free for a limited time, compliments of HP. Download this executive briefing  Does collaboration drive business success? Get this white paper now! (Source: Microsoft Office Live Meeting) Collaboration occurs at the intersection of an enterprise's technology and culture. Discover how these two critical factors affect the quality of collaboration in Meetings Around the World: The Impact of Collaboration on Business Performance. You'll learn why enterprises need to work collaboratively - and examine how collaboration impacts business success. Download this white paper  HP's Virtualization: HP's Remote Client Solutions Webinar HP's Virtualization: HP's Remote Client Solutions Webinar View this webcast! Go to the webcast  White Papers Read up on the latest ideas and technologies from companies that sell hardware, software and services. New Fujitsu High-End Itanium Windows- and Linux-Based PRIMEQUEST Servers Offer the Utmost in High Availability New Fujitsu High-End Itanium-Based PRIMEQUEST Servers Offer Industry-Leading System Management for Linux and Windows Symantec State of the Data Center Report 2007 View more whitepapers

• Review: Which 3G network is the best?
• Analysis: Why Hewlett-Packard wants EDS
• Srizbi grows into world's largest botnet
• More top stories 

The Impact of Messaging and Web Threats Messaging, internal and Web-based threats are increasing in number and severity. The risks to organizations large and small are real problems that users and their employers face if they do not establish adequate defenses against this growing variety of threats. Read this Osterman Research paper to learn how organizations must implement a layered defensive strategy to protect against all types of threats and how Sunbelt Software can help. Download this white paper now



The Spyware Threat: How to Protect your Business IT Managers face a perfect storm of security challenges including limited staff, lack of security expertise, increasing complexity and volume of financially motivated malware attacks, a mobile workforce, and a lack of computer usage policy in the workplace. This Webcast will provide information about current trends and statistics in IT security, and how to protect your business from the growing malware menace. Download this on demand webcast now See more Webcasts