Software Glitch Fells Medieval Monster

Miss us? Even PMThinkers need to take a few days off for the holidays now and then!

We return with news of a software glitch that has caused the delay of Grendel, a $2.8 million opera about a medieval monster (as reported in Computerworld). I think I've worked with some computer systems that were like medieval monsters, but that's another story.

The LA world premiere was supposed to occur May 27, but has now been delayed until June 8, with the opening performances reclassified as "preview performances."

Apparently, the computer system was supposed to operate a huge, elaborate moving stage.

This sounds like the "perfect storm" of project risk---an extremely complicated software endeavor with high uncertainty, a firm "go-live" date most likely booked well in advance, and no contingency plan (since "the built-in stages and moving props are too heavy to be operated manually").

Here's the full article...

Computer glitch delays opera opening