Understanding IT project failure in the digital age: A systematic literature review and taxonomy of contemporary failure factors

Abstract

This study aims to identify and systematize contemporary factors associated with IT project failure and examine their relationship with factors established in earlier literature. A systematic literature review covering publications from January 1, 2021, to September 30, 2025, was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S guidelines. Fifteen studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, while 12 studies were used for factor and frequency analysis. Data extraction yielded 86 coded findings, which were standardized into 76 distinct factors and grouped into seven dimensions. Project management and governance was the most prevalent dimension, appearing in 75.0% of the studies, while inadequate planning was the most frequently identified individual factor. Comparison with literature published up to 2020 showed that 65.8% of the factors were traditional or persistent, 27.6% were evolving, and 6.6% were contemporary. Contemporary factors were primarily associated with AI/ML projects and risks related to data, privacy, and model maintenance. The findings indicate that the digital era has not eliminated traditional causes of IT project failure, but has increased their complexity and interdependence.