It is generally agreed the risk of failure associated with core system legacy replacement has lessened in recent years. While measuring the frequency and severity of failures remains hard for several reasons, it is widely agreed these numbers are trending in a more positive direction.

Likewise, despite the lack of hard numbers to support the optimistic view, there are good reasons to believe the trend is real. As we have discussed in past articles, the newer vendors in our space are good software developers that write high-quality, configurable software, and in response to these newer and better vendors, the legacy vendors have improved their game considerably. Better software is a significant factor in fewer failures. But so is project delivery. One of the defining marks of the newer breed of vendor is its approach to building and delivering software. The "new kids on the block," as we characterized them in an article last year, are adherents of the "agile" methodology of development and delivery, and as we will see, this also greatly enhances the likelihood of project success.

Drowning in Waterfall

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