Which approach can organizations adopt to minimize IT project delivery failures?

Decoupling central IT projects from the innovation that occurs within each line of business allows organizations to strike a balance between standardization and flexibility. By enabling individual business units to innovate while still adhering to broader IT governance, organizations can foster an environment conducive to creativity and swift adaptation to market changes. This approach minimizes delays and enhances responsiveness, which can often be the sources of project delivery failures.

Centralized control over all IT projects may create bottlenecks, stifling innovation and slowing down delivery, as all projects are funneled through a single point. Outsourcing could lead to complications in communication and alignment between the external vendor and the organization's internal teams, increasing the risk of misalignment with business objectives. Implementing only waterfall project management might limit adaptability and responsiveness to change, as this methodology is linear and does not accommodate iterative feedback loops or rapid changes in requirements.

In contrast, the chosen approach promotes a collaborative environment where innovation can thrive, ultimately contributing to higher success rates in IT project deliveries.