Critical LAN Success Factors

Abstract

The implementation of Local Area Networks (LANs) are expected to require the allocation of significant and increasing amounts of U.S. business resources in the next few years. Models for implementing LANs are currently little more than checklists of reminders, and do not properly address the sequence of implementation or the relative importance of the factors critical for implementation success over the implementation life cycle. Many authors (Brandt, 1989; Gallegos, 1987; Fireworker & Stewart, 1988; Mirsa & Belistos, 1987) have been written articles concerning the factors needed to achieve a successful LAN implementation. This paper organizes the issues highlighted in several of these LAN specific checklists, and The Local Area Network (LAN) Implementation Project Life Cycle Model presented in this paper integrates various checklists of LAN specific implementation considerations with the critical success factors (CSFs) associated with the various stages of the project life cycle. This model addresses the sequence and the timing of various implementation tasks based on the project CSFs over the various implementation life cycle stages. This model provides a superior model for practitioners to implement their local area networks, as it provides focus in addressing the factors critical for success. This model also provides a superior basis for approaching research work in comparison with the current checklists, as it highlights the tasks associated with the CSFs over each phase of the LAN implementation project life cycle.