The IPACS project: when IT hits the fan

This case summarizes a failed systems development project at the 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 integrate 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 three years after its initiation. To provide the readers with a pragmatic understanding of MIS development, this case describes the key factors and behaviors that led to the failure. Also, it invites the readers to apply their project management and crisis management skills, and creativity in managing the aftermath of the project's failure.