Average project costs have fallen in large and medium companies. The best news is that we are learning how to succeed more often. The project is completed on time and on budget, with all features and functions as originally specified. The Standish Group believes three factors explain these encouraging results. The two other factors are better project management and greater use of standard infrastructures.
Smaller projects have another benefit.
Because they are easier to manage and contain, smaller projects experience fewer time overruns. Size does matter. As project costs rise, typically through the addition of features and functions that are rarely or never used, the likelihood of success falls. One school of thought would argue that larger projects with more funding and resources should be more successful and should produce more function. Instead, the reverse appears to be true.