---
title: "Phoenix Payroll Catastrophe — Why Canada is Destined to Repeat It"
description: "If you listen closely, you might hear the faint echoes: “One solution to rule them all”, they said."
canonical_url: "https://pathfinder.betterteams.academy/articles/2019/11/phoenix-payroll-catastrophe-why-canada-is-destined-to-repeat-it"
---

> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://pathfinder.betterteams.academy/llms.txt)

If you listen closely, you might hear the faint echoes: *“One solution to rule them all”*, they said. *“We’ll save millions”*, they said. *“We’ll launch the new system with just the push of a button”* *“The flick of a switch.”* And some fool decided to name the new system *Phoenix* – it would *“rise from the ashes”* they said. **What happened next, you ask?**

**It’s been an unbelievable catastrophe!** Since the launch of Phoenix Payroll System:

- 2 federal elections have passed.
- A constract churn of executives.
- Billions spent.
- Billions more to go (not to mention a decade of litigation).
- The system **still** fails to deliver accurate payroll across the country.

The silver lining is knowing that all government officials agree that Phoenix is never going to work. They all agree it has failed. (Since when has our government unanimously agreed on *anything?!*) They do agree on this.

The proof? They’ve tendered an NPP (Notice of Proposed Procurement) for what they’re calling the “next generation HR and pay solution”.

Will they abandon and replace Phoenix? Will they surgically overhaul Phoenix? Is a new mega-project underway?

In this session, we examine the history of Canada’s Phoenix Payroll system, understand its current state, and — given what we know of the government’s track-record and recent policy changes — speculate whether the billions they’ll spend next will render any value for Canadians.

This will be the 2nd time I present at GOAT. I am honored to have been invited this year to share some thoughts about Agile work within government.

[Slides](https://scrumworks834-my.sharepoint.com/:p:/g/personal/david_betterteams_academy/EYXQzcreqcRMq9FB5NHJpckBXUxTRGYMTA0_j5HNsyn2fA?e=D1QHF8)

*Gatineau-Ottawa Agile Tour · Ottawa · November 22, 2019*

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