Assignment 1 / Task 2 / ITC493

Task 2: (Chapter 2, Exercise 5)

Write a one- to two-page summary of an article about the importance of top management support for successful information technology projects.

The term "top management support" implies a framing of the problem. The problem in question is framed in terms of what managers should do in order to contribute to the success of a specific IS implementation effort. This framing implicitly takes from granted that this particular IS implementation effort is worthwhile for the organization (both in itself and in comparison to alternative activities), that it is a feasible and reasonable route to proceed upon, and that if supported, it is likely to have results which are sought after by the supporting executive(s) and or other parties.
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Top management commitment is crucial for project success. Since projects often affect many areas in an organization, top management must assist project managers if they are to do a good job of project integration. Organizational commitment to information technology is also important to the success of information technology project. Development standards and guidelines assist most organizations in managing project.


Due to the complexity and importance of many information technology projects and their resulting product, it is important to take time to review the status of a project at each phase. A project should successfully pass through each of the main project or product phases before continuing to the next. Since the organization usually commits more money as a project continues, a management review should occur after each phase to evaluate progress, potential success, and continued compatibility with organizational goals. These management reviews, called phase exits or kill points, are very important for keeping projects on track and determining if they should be continued, redirected, or terminated. Recall that projects are just one part of the entire system of an organization. Changes in other parts of the organization might affect a project’s status, and a project’s status might likewise affect what is happening in other parts of the organization. By breaking points into phases, top management can make sure that the projects are still compatible with the need of the rest of the company.

Project managers need to consider several factors due to the unique context of information technology projects. The diverse nature of these projects and the wide range of business areas and technology involved make information technology projects especially challenging to manage. Leading project team members with a wide variety of specialized skills and understanding rapidly changing technologies are also important considerations.