Masters Degrees (School of Accountancy)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (School of Accountancy) by Subject "Application software package implementation"

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    Addressing application software package project failure : bridging the information technology gap by aligning business processes and package functionality
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2011-12) Kruger, Wandi; Smit, Sybil; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. Dept. of Accountancy.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An application software package implementation is a complex endeavour, and as such it requires the proper understanding, evaluation and redefining of the current business processes to ensure that the project delivers on the objectives set at the start of the project. Numerous factors exist that may contribute to the unsuccessful implementation of application software package projects. However, the most significant contributor to the failure of an application software package project lies in the misalignment of the organisation’s business processes with the functionality of the application software package. Misalignment is attributed to a gap that exists between the business processes of an organisation and what functionality the application software package has to offer to translate the business processes of an organisation into digital form when implementing and configuring an application software package. This gap is commonly referred to as the information technology (IT) gap. The purpose of this assignment is to examine and discuss to what degree a supporting framework such as the Projects IN Controlled Environment (PRINCE2) methodology assists in the alignment of the organisation’s business processes with the functionality of the end product; as so many projects still fail even though the supporting framework is available to assist organisations with the implementation of the application software package. This assignment proposes to define and discuss the IT gap. Furthermore this assignment will identify shortcomings and weaknesses in the PRINCE2 methodology which may contribute to misalignment between the business processes of the organisation and the functionality of the application software package. Shortcomings and weaknesses in the PRINCE2 methodology were identified by: • Preparing a matrix table summarising the reasons for application software package failures by conducting a literature study; Mapping the reasons from the literature study to those listed as reasons for project failure by the Office of Government Commerce (the publishers of the PRINCE2 methodology); • Mapping all above reasons to the PRINCE2 methodology to determine whether the reasons identified are adequately addressed in the PRINCE2 methodology. This assignment concludes by proposing recommendations for aligning the business processes with the functionality of the application software package (addressing the IT gap) as well as recommendations for addressing weaknesses identified in the PRINCE2 methodology. By adopting these recommendations in conjunction with the PRINCE2 methodology the proper alignment between business processes and the functionality of the application software package may be achieved. The end result will be more successful application software package project implementations.