In my earlier post I had commented on five common challenges in executing ICT project in the government sector.
I shall now share my experiences on five common mistakes an SI make in winning and executing an ICT – SI projects in the government sector.
1. Not doing a thorough analysis and risk management of the bid particularly on competency in delivering solutions, SLA management, identifying all risk and delivery timelines. In most RFP the delivery time lines expected are absurd and impractical which a bidder is forced to agree to become compliant to the bid. The bid response is normally architected by part time or consultants on bench. Cash management is another key factor . Normally you will get your payments between 90 – 120 days post submission of all necessary claims documentation. This has huge impacts on project P&L and the SI is forced to abandon the project midway.
2. Vendor and Partner management – Trivializing vendor and partner role and not having proper back to back arrangements in lines with with the RFP. SI often take forward calls on price and delivery.
3. Trivializing delivery – This is the greatest mistake of all. Indian ICT projects are as complex as any other projects overseas with very high cost sensitivity. Planning the delivery with low cost bench and trainee resources is disastrous. For complex ICT projects one has to plan with the best resources . The cost of loss is much higher than the cost of these resources. Not involving legal and or contract expert during delivery is another common mistake made by the SI.
4. Planning a weak Program and Customer management. Normally a low cost. One need to deploy its best resources.
5. Maintaining inadequate documentations of claims and approvals. This is one of the most weakest area. Many payments are with-held for months and years due to inadequate documentation and knowledge of the customer payment and approval process.
More Inputs are welcome.
