Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 05

8 / Canadian Government Executive // October/November 2018 GOVERNMENT M y observation is people often take the view, “no one else can do a project better than we can do it ourselves,” which is of- ten false. The Government of Canada (GC) needs to recognize its propensity to take on significant risk, e.g., as the systems inte- grator 1 on information systems and digital (IT) projects, which seems founded in: • A view GC is most knowledgeable and capable to direct and perform the work, while not understanding it lacks neces- sary experience or the risks associated with the work. • Not recognizing GC has more options to mitigate risks through competition and contractual controls than doing the work itself, i.e., there are no equivalents to con- tractual controls or penalties for failure to perform within the public service. • Not making a distinction between GC’s responsibility to ensure services are pro- vided versus the risk of being the service provider of such services. • A severe distrust of industry. Don’t Confuse Enthusiasm for Capability by the Government of Canada By John A. Glowacki Jr. Risks Unnecessary