Coverage of the genesis and ongoing process of Virginia’s massive IT outsourcing projects has been late and not particularly illuminating. It wasn’t mentioned during the gubernatorial campaign and no one seems to be out in front on it, making the case. I’ve been interested from the beginning on just who is or was the guiding force–who will take the applause or the blame a few years down the road?

Columnist William Welsh of the boosterish Washington Technology magazine had a piece yesterday that provided some insight.

Was the outsourcing Governor Mark Warner’s baby? Welsh says he spoke with Warner:

I don’t know if Welsh got a more expansive answer from the Governor, but the response is vintage Warner, a sign of his genius. Instead of answering the question asked, he set himself up to take the legacy credit if the initiative succeeds or to deflect blame if it fails.

Welsh credits former Secretary of Technology George Newstrom and Chief Information Officer Lemuel Stewart for the outsourcing project, but without so much as a quote or third party confirmation.

What really might be the driving force behind the outsourcing is revealed in Welsh’s closing comment:

Contractors have waited a long time for a state IT outsourcing opportunity of this scope. They should make every effort to ensure it succeeds by meeting milestones and performance standards, ensuring the state gets the savings and new facilities promised, and that state workers get job benefits and fresh opportunities that are as good, if not better, than what they had working for the state.

It’s the responsible thing to do.

In other words, Virginia let us get our nose under the tent–here’s our big chance. Get this right and there will be more opportunities in other states.

There’s nothing wrong with that strategy, but we should be vigilant that perception and reality are aligned. Beware of the big vendors managing perceptions for the Virginia project to gain contracts elsewhere.