Half-Life of Learning Curves for Information Technology Project Management

Learning curves are used extensively in business, science, technology, engineering, and industry to predict system performance over time. Although most of the early development and applications were in the area of production engineering, contemporary applications can be found in all areas of applications. Information technology project management, in particular, offers a fertile area for the application of learning curves. This paper applies the concept of half-life of learning curves to information technology project management. This is useful for predictive measures of information technology system performance. Half-life is the amount of time it takes for a quantity to diminish to half of its original size through natural processes. The approach of half-life computation provides an additional decision tool for researchers and practitioners in information technology management. Derivation of the half-life equations of learning curves can reveal more about the properties of the various curves with respect to the unique life-cycle property of information technology.