Why big IT projects always go wrong
m.guardian.co.ukDirect link to the research mentioned in the article: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1304.0265v1.pdf
It concludes that Big Bang risky projects should be avoided and smaller projects with comprehensive contingency plans should be preferred instead.
Strange the article doesn't mention the conclusion. Looks like the advice is not to do anything...
The only winning move is not to play. ;-)
In my opinion the problem lies in planning. The bigger the project the more the entropy can start to have fun with it :)