The IPACS project: when IT hits the fan

This case summarizes a failed systems development project at Green Valley Hospital. The project was part of a large strategic information systems plan aiming to lower costs, improve the quality of patient care and re-engineer the hospital's operations. To implement the project, the president of the hospital selected a $5.9 million system by Ibax. The users, who felt that the selected system did not satisfy their needs, rejected it during the testing process. As a result, the project was abandoned 3 years after its initiation. This case describes the key factors and behaviours that led to the failure and invites readers to apply their project management and crisis management skills and creativity in managing the aftermath of the project's failure.