Book excerpt: This title was first published in 2000. This text analyzes the problems of managing large-scale technology projects. It addresses the contrast between projects' hoped-for benefits and the optimism with which they are promoted, and the high human, economic or environmental costs of their operation. The book is multi-disciplinary in its approach and an integration of different levels of analysis. It contains case studies that are analyzed in terms of the literatures on decision theory, public administration and strategic and project managment.