Report: Modular projects are more successful

What: The Market Connections-FierceGovernmentIT PulsePoll.

Why: This two-part study examines the benefits 200 federal IT managers attribute to using modular development methods over the traditional waterfall approach in IT projects. In part one, the respondents -- who work in both civilian and military agencies -- cite an IT project success rate of 60 percent since 2010. Modular adopters report higher success rates, however, and 64 percent of respondents felt agile development improves IT project outcomes. The full study includes the metrics used to break down IT project successes. 

The study’s second portion examined the top obstacles and success factors for federal IT projects.

While defense and military IT personnel reported their projects were most impacted by inconsistent funding, their civilian-agency counterparts cited funding as much less and issue than poor communication. Defense agencies are more likely to adopt progressive IT project approaches that use formal measures of success, including schedule milestones and metrics, than civilian agencies, the survey found.

Monica Parham, marketing director for Market Connections, said the 60 percent success rate reported by federal officials was on par with the private sector. Parham said the study suggests improved communication among agencies, vendors and end-user stakeholders could greatly improve the success of IT projects.

Verbatim: The top five obstacles in order were: poor communication, changing requirements, insufficient funding, inconsistent funding and lack of project support personnel. The top five factors respondents reported in successful IT projects were: clear project objectives, strong project leadership, strong executive leadership support, good stakeholder communication and sufficient funding.

Download the full report: Click here.