Fundamental Risk Factors in Deploying IT/IS Projects in Omani Government Organisations

Abstract

Deploying IT systems has always presented a combination of challenges and risks to decision-makers. Many IT projects have failed to accomplish their cost, schedule, or technical performance objectives. However, the factors that are encountered in deploying IT/IS projects in developing countries differ from those encountered in developed countries due to cultural and organisational reasons. Oman is one developing country that has started, slowly, exploring the use of computer systems to help in improving their business. The case is made that Oman needs to have a coherent IT strategic vision at the national level. Implementing this vision into detailed strategies depends on the high awareness of the positive role IT can play in the economy, counterbalanced by the ability to manage the associated risks. The factors that are associated with implementing IT/IS in Omani government organisations are: human resource deficiency, organisational inefficiencies, and the immaturity of the IT business culture. The risk factors that arise in the context of the Omani culture are contrasted with those that have been reported in the literature.