Purpose: High Performance Computing (HPC) has the potential to benefit both industry and society. This study explores the challenges facing HPC in the near and long-term future based on the perceptions of experts and presents recommendations for overcoming these challenges.
Design: The study leverages the HOT-FIT model to explore experts’ perceptions of the human, organisational and technological issues pertinent to the future of HPC. Two data collection methods were applied namely a modified Delphi process and an open-ended survey.
Findings: Across both data collection methods, participants expressed concerns in relation to human factors in the near and long-term future including the lack of HPC talent and expertise. In terms of organisational issues, resources, high start-up costs, and funding represented core challenges. Lastly, important technological issues include concerns around complexity, durability and reliability of technological solutions.
Research Implications: This research leverages the views and predictions of experts in a number of industries and countries to present the adapted HOT-FIT model thereby contributing the literature on HPC adoption, a niche yet important area.
Practical Implications: The study presents a number of recommendations for stakeholders such as education institutions, funding bodies and organisations for guaranteeing the future success of HPC.
Value: This study is the first to elicit expert opinions on the future of high performance computing. It presents an empirically grounded extension to the HOT-FIT model for understanding the factors important to the future growth of HPC. In addition, the study contributes to practice by outlining actionable recommendations for addressing core issues facing HPC.
Keywords: High Performance Computing, Delphi process, HPC, HOT-FIT model.
