This is not an entirely bad situation. Elected officials often require the advice of their public servants due to the complexity of many issues. A strong and convincing case can be made to support a Year 2000 Project. With the support of the elected Minister or Secretary, a Project Manager will enjoy sufficient staff and resources to do the job. However, the whims of politics are fickle and a Project Manager should be attuned to any changes that may impact support for the project.
Resources can be easily and suddenly diverted to resolve a political crisis or sensitive issue.
Even if the elected heads of a public administration support a Year 2000 project other neighboring departments may not. Empire building is a common trait in all bureaucracies. The solution for changes imposed by the government is the growth of the related public administration. It is usually the only opportunity for a department to grow. During the project, other systems enhancements cannot be done or may be delayed significantly.