Critical success factors for IT projects in South Africa

Abstract

IT projects have faced high failure rates over the years. This study aimed to explore stakeholders’ role in the success or failure of IT projects, identify the complexities of stakeholder management in IT development projects, and develop a robust stakeholder management process specifically tailored to the context of developing economies. This research looks at different factors that impact IT project success in South Africa. A quantitative research approach was utilised using Structural Equation modelling (SEM). The success factors that were found critical included the following: The project being completed within the allotted budget; the project outcomes being utilised by the end-users; the project should have a noticeable impact on beneficiaries; project specifications must be met by the time the project is handed over to target beneficiaries; project team members must also be satisfied the project execution process and the project should have minimal start-up problems.