How We Think

Why are procurement and contracting practices adversarial? And more pressingly – Should Commonwealth procurement practices be adversarial? This is a question that has dogged me for longer than I care to remember, particularly as the answer appears to be a resounding ‘yes.’

Has a software provider ever handed you a EULA and you didn’t know what to make of it? And no, EULAs aren’t medical devices or quantum physics particles. While End User License Agreements (EULAs) can appear to be as inscrutable as quantum physics, they don’t have to be.

Benefits Management is an important component in the effective delivery and implementation of projects and change initiatives. It’s a framework and process that helps you ensure you’re doing the right thing, the right way, for the right outcome.

Having been and worked with Government Procurement Officers (GPOs) who leave their procurements to the very last minute, I understand the stress that comes with the end-of-financial-year and as Christmas shutdown approaches. Having lived through 5+ complex procurements that all had to be completed in 2-month periods (and less), I’ve also made my fair share of EOFY and New Year’s resolutions that start with the words “… Never again…” But then “never happens” again. And again. And not completing procurements on time can lead to very serious financial and legal implications for GPOs and the organisations they represent. As a ‘survivor,’ I can offer some simple strategies that can potentially go a long way to making “never again” a reality.

In the realm of business operations, sustainability has become a buzzword that is often associated with environmental initiatives and corporate responsibility. While reducing waste, conserving resources, and reducing carbon footprints are undeniably crucial aspects of sustainability, there is one underrated area where this ethos can truly shine – contract management.

When applying the law, uncertainty is the last thing you want. If your task is the application of complex rules to unique circumstances and you’re looking for as much assistance as you can to do that, you don’t want to be met with a shrug. It’s no different when it comes to Freedom of Information (FOI) – so it should be a welcome relief that when you search through the FOI Guidelines, you’ll see the word ‘uncertain’ rarely appears in the FOI Guidelines – and one instance concerns the ‘Materials-obtained-in-confidence’ exemption under the FOI Act