The federal gov't was already using the same system in several departments, so it should not be an excuse that it was a totally new system.  It's the business rules that need to be well constructed and it was the layoff of all the compensation advisors 2 yrs before the rollout. Why would they do that before ensuring that the rollout was successful; they needed them to manage the changes and teach the managers and directors what had to be approved before the system would accept it. 

Most senior Directors, Director Generals, Assistant Deputy Ministers and Deputy Ministers don't have a clue where IT projects are concerned. They flail their arms and state that "it can't be that difficult".  Get it done quickly, oh, and by the way, there's no staff to do the immense amount of work required. Have you watched Marie LeMay in the press conferences? She does not have any answers at all.  It's just counting of cases and many excuses.