How We Think

Ah procurement! The term often strikes fear into the hearts of every (or at least most) public servant. Adding to these fears are perceptions of complex regulatory and policy frameworks as well as the certainty of an audit. As discussed in previous articles, procurement isn't done well, in general in the APS (or in State/Territory Governments for that matter). However, it doesn't have to be this way - and (most) public servants need not 'live in fear' of procurement. In fact, the opposite should be true - they should embrace procurement, banish the fears and develop a positive approach to procurement and contracting.

Remember when as kids, we made choices based on what would make us look cool, avoid embarrassment, or simply because it felt good? Now, fast-forward to the adult world - the corporate decisions, strategic moves. Surprisingly (or not), the same underlying emotions and desires are at play.

"Over-communicate. It's better to tell someone something they already know than to not tell them something they needed to hear" - Alex Irvine

Fair-and-reasonable (FAR). That's the standard, the test for organisations handling personal information (PI) under the proposed privacy reforms. The FAR principle is also found in the 'Objects' section of the FOI Act at Section 3(4), outlining that FOI functions "are to be performed and exercised, as far as possible, to facilitate and promote public access to information, promptly and at the lowest reasonable cost."

Australia's strategic policy has suffered from a crisis of identity for decades. We are not alone in changing political priorities, mismanaged projects or having to adjust to evolving strategic circumstances. But we want to have it both ways, all the time, and without due care to how long it takes or how much it costs.

In a 1979 interview with Ray Bradbury, the acclaimed science-fiction author lamented that he was often asked to play the role of futurist: "People ask me to predict the future when all I want to do is prevent it. Better yet, build it. Predicting the future is much too easy, anyway. You look at the people around you, the street you stand on, the visible air you breathe, and predict more of the same. To hell with more. I want better."