Successful IT systems

Introduction

This free course, Successful IT Systems, looks at what makes an IT system successful. Information technology (IT) systems are a critical part of our world, in business, public sector and voluntary sector environments, and are often highly complex and interconnected combinations of technology, organisations and people. Yet they frequently fail, often spectacularly.

Examples of failed IT systems are everywhere. Banks are unable to release money to their customers – because of failed IT systems. Aircrafts fall out of the sky or are routed in wrong directions – because of failed IT systems. The UK National Health Service (NHS), of the largest organisations in the world, was unable to change as planned – because of failed IT systems. Many more examples, from the private, public and voluntary sectors, may come to your mind.

But what exactly do we mean by success or failure in an IT system? This course mostly focuses on success, and helps you understand what we mean by a successful IT system.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course TM353 IT systems: planning for success [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .