Book chapter
Overcoming the ‘White Elephant’ Syndrome in Big and Iconic Projects in the Public and Private Sectors
Improving Implementation: Organisational Change and Project Management, pp.47-67
Australian National University e-Press
2007
Abstract
This chapter analyses 'big,' 'iconic' or 'mega' projects and their impact on effective project management and also on the effective allocation of funds for priority infrastructure. It is argued that part of the problem of Australia's perceived present infrastructure shortfall is not just the lack of spending on infrastructure as many suggest. Rather, it is as much about the misallocation of spending on 'big' and so called 'iconic' or prestige projects that too often become expensive 'white elephants' requiring considerable post-completion maintenance and support and further lasting valuable resources that could be used elsewhere. Such projects, because of their status, size, and complexity too often disrupt effective project management practices in their original scoping, assessment and implementation and fail to have clear purposes or functions.
Details
- Title
- Overcoming the ‘White Elephant’ Syndrome in Big and Iconic Projects in the Public and Private Sectors
- Authors
- Scott Prasser (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
- Publication details
- Improving Implementation: Organisational Change and Project Management, pp.47-67
- Publisher
- Australian National University e-Press
- Date published
- 2007
- ISBN
- 9781921313011
- Organisation Unit
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99449842002621
- Output Type
- Book chapter
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