Execution gaps reflect the lack of preparation of the public and private sectors to partner with each other relative to the number and scale of potential PPP projects. Governments, for example, are often highly apprehensive about working with the private sector. This often emerges from a disparity between the private sector's negotiation skills and those of the public sector. Fearing that they will be "outgunned" by experienced private-sector negotiators and their highly refined agreements, governments are often mistrustful, if not outright fearful, of private-sector engagement (see, e.g. Chicago's notorious parking PPP).
Simply put, many governments are under-prepared to engage effectively in PPPs. Existing PPP education focuses heavily on explaining PPP procedures, models and documentation, failing to address the frameworks that underpin PPP thinking or the sheer variety of PPP projects across different sectors. Promoting thorough understanding and critical thinking-helping both private and public sector managers think through real-world project risks and opportunities-is essential to bridging this gap. In fact, this Guide is, in and of itself, an attempt to bridge the execution gap.