Company Profile and Background

Interwork Solutions UK Limited was established in April 2005. The company emerged from its former company Interwork Services Ltd which was originally established in 2001. The company was re-shaped during 2004/05 to concentrate on the provision of qualified Project Management and Disaster Recovery/ Business Continuity in the area of Information Systems and Services.

Although the company is relatively young, our people have over 100 combined years of experience in the field of Information Communication Technology (ICT). This has been derived from time spent in both the public and private sectors. Our combined experience enables us to provide a broad range of services in ICT that ensures we can anticipate and avoid most of the problems that less experienced providers do not foresee. Furthermore, we can offer government security cleared personnel to address projects that are commercially sensitive and/or require high levels of confidentiality. We are also qualified to PRINCE 2 standards to undertake all your project management requirements.

Reality - Some Harsh facts about business information systems.

Fact - Failed ICT projects costs billions.

How important is your business information and communication systems to you, your people, your clients and your stakeholders?

Every facet of the systems and platforms that provide the means to undertake the transfer and storage of your information has to be carefully considered and built to ensure it meets your business requirements. In the 21st century the means of exchanging and storing data and information in a safe electronic environment is a cornerstone to most businesses.

If you were constructing business premises, or even your own home you would probably commission an architect who would use qualified project managers and engineers to ensure the construction of the building was successful and complied with statutory requirements. Furthermore, you would be required to insure the building and possibly its contents. Such insurance is mandatory to cover most contingencies.

This makes sense. Afterall, your business premises and your home are vital to you and important to your survival and continuity. With that in mind, it seems odd that when it comes to considering the installation and use of business information systems the majority of people fail to apply the same rules.

Consider the following:

It is known that the use of qualified project management in ICT tends to be limited to larger companies and some of the project managers engaged in their programmes are not qualified to undertake the task. Companies often ignore the need to insure against known contingencies that can damage or even destroy their business.

Research:

According to such institutions as the Royal Academy of Engineers, British Computer Society and the US based Standish Group; failed projects in the delivery of Information Communication Technology (ICT) cost the UK, EU and the USA billions of pounds every year.

Indeed, the Royal Academy of Engineers and BCS claimed in their report of 2004 that only 16% of all ICT projects undertaken across Europe could be considered as successful.

What is a failed project?

Described by the US based Standish Group, a failed ICT project constitutes the delivery of 80% or less of the original specification agreed with the client. This assessment allows for a 20% shortfall of the client’s specification. Some in the UK would argue, as would Interwork, that this figure is very generous. We at Interwork continually aim to deliver the entire system and specification to cost, time, quality and benefit. That means we strive for nothing less than 100% delivery on our promise and agreement.

Causes of failure:

The following key points represent some of the main causes for project failure:

Failure to understand and effect Change Management processes

Failure to provide initial project scope

Inadequate planning

Miscalculation of resources required in terms of people, cost and time.

Failure to understand the business requirement

Lack of a Risk Assessment

Use of unskilled people

Poor communication to all levels

Lack of ‘Top Driven’ commitment and ownership

Lack of project controls

No contingency arrangements

Minimise the risk, use effective project management Use Interwork Solutions UK Limited