Overview

  Plan for uncertainties - Contracts become unworkable if they do not align to changing circumstances

Government works within a constantly evolving environment, which it can struggle to reflect in contracts. For many contracts, some uncertainty will be expected when the contract is signed. Customer behaviours can be difficult to predict, public policies can change or requirements may need to be refined where contracts introduce new processes and systems. The result is that poor contracts prove too inflexible, resulting in costly changes, the contract failing to deliver what was intended or delivering the wrong thing. Where government plans for the need for flexibility upfront, it is much better able to manage uncertainty.