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David Clarke
BE (Hons), ME, BBS, MBA
Chair, healthAlliance, Auckland, NZ

David has significant experience, at both Chair and CEO level, in numerous industries and has a successful track record with companies in the areas of healthcare, information technology, energy, agriculture, biotechnology, water, tourism,  food and related sectors.
David comes from a background in technology, engineering, finance, sales and marketing with significant experience in capital markets, raising both debt and equity. His experience includes successfully growing early stage high-technology companies to maturity and listing, as well as the management of large, high turnover organisations.

David is currently a director of multiple companies, including Watercare, Jucy Group, Hynds Group, TRG Group, Health Alliance  and others. His past roles include inaugural Chair of Orion International, now New Zealand's largest software exporter, Farm IQ ( JV between Landcorp and SSF) , Ngai Tahu Tourism, Hawkins Watts  and others  . Prior to this, David was Chief Executive Officer of Counties Manukau District Health Board, a 4,000 person, $1 billion turnover organisation.

David is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Management, a chartered member of the NZ Institute of Directors. He and Trustee for several charities. He was a finalist for both New Zealand Business Leader of the Year (2006) and New Zealander of the Year (2002).


Managing IT Projects for Success- Dolphins not Whales

One of the most important issues for organisations is the success of projects. The percentage of failure of Information Technology (IT) projects seems to be increasing and there are examples of high profile IT projects failing in both the private and public sector. Unsuccessful IT projects impact businesses, customers, and society in sizable ways and their failures are well published.

There is considerable literature on how to deliver projects successfully. This presentation looks at the concept of Dolphins verse Whales. Dolphins come to the surface frequently to take short breaths, communicate and ensure contact with the rest of the pod. The level of effort required for each breath is small. Whales, on the other hand, tend to take long breaths, dive deep and stay submerged for long periods of time. The level of effort to surface for another breath is significant.

When applied to Change related initiatives, the “whales vs. dolphins” questions the big project approach (Whales are just big, and often big is not beautiful) and the need to deliver quantifiable benefits in sizeable bursts. This presentation questions if there such a thing as an IT project. It emphasises the need for business’ to realise value through using technology as an enabler and examines what contributes to successful deployment, the importance of Business Strategy, and the need to understand the risk profile prior to the project initiating.