Most projects involve procuring materials and/or services from outside vendors.  Procurement involves the
preparation of and signing of contracts confirming the scope of work to be provided or materials to be supplied.  Pretty basic contract management.

On a recent project, a question was raised as to the completeness of the deliverables.  Upon careful examination of the contract language, it was determined that the supplier did provide what was described in the contract, but the deliverable did not meet the customer’s requirements.  This is bad.

Lesson learned for me; take the time to confirm with the customer that the contract language is understood by both parties.  Describe the deliverable for the customer and have the customer describe the deliverable in return.  Are they the same?

What experience have you had with contracts where right was just plain wrong?

Send feedback to robert@ajae.ca, I’ll print it in the next news update!