Failure Analysis of Public Sector Digitalization Projects Based On Publicly Available Evidence
Failure Analysis of Public Sector Digitalization Projects Based On Publicly Available Evidence

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the causes of failure in selected digitalization projects within the public administration sector of the Czech Republic. Despite the growing importance of digital transformation in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and public value, many large-scale IT projects in the public sector fail or do not achieve their intended outcomes. The aim of this paper is to identify the key factors contributing to these failures and to determine whether they represent isolated incidents or systemic issues. The research is based on a qualitative comparative analysis of three case studies: the e-Legislativa project, the digitalization of agendas at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, and the electronic motorway vignette system. The analysis draws on publicly available data, including audit reports, official documents, and media sources. The findings reveal recurring structural problems, such as inadequate strategic planning, weak interinstitutional coordination, heavy reliance on external IT suppliers, limited internal technological capacities, and instability in project governance. The study concludes that these failures are not accidental but rather reflect systemic weaknesses in the management of public sector digitalization projects.

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