In typical IT projects project management is done very tightly on MS project and the real human interaction issues cannot be tightly worked in so they fall out. Projects fail.

There unfortunately needs to be a level above project planning where the ultimate outcome is determined, measured and reported on. (not a program office type role) This is a more strategic role. This has to involve multiple stakeholders and manage expectations.

Even with that projects can still fail!!

That said, the FBI project sounds a lot more like a mostly-integration project, than a mostly-software project. That’s one step to common sense – talk about the project in terms of what’s in it. Human practices and humane project organizations help people talk about what’s really going on. It’s necessary, but not sufficient, however.