I have been asked to find information on the subject of the basic principles of managing a contract in order to simplify the process for both parties but also to ensure that the legal aspects have been adequately covered.
For the purpose of the exercise the emphasis would be on getting the best possible deal for both parties, so negotiating skills would of course be needed.
Are there very few resources available on this subject or I am searching in the wrong places?
Suni Waterstone
3 Responses
Project Management
Project Management only comes into force once someone else has agreed and signed a contract. The Project Managers first task is to read through every term and letter of that contract so that he knows EXACTLY what is required. He will also establish at this stage what can be don and what can not be done.Here with regard to ‘impossible clauses’ and believe me quite a few contracts contain these, he will have to attempt to renegotiate fresh terms. He then assembles his team. Planning.Engineering.Financial.Purchasing. Logistics.Manpower. Safety. Quality Assurance and control etc and with their assistance set out a ‘Stratigic Plan of action.’He will communicate directly with the client with regard to this plan and agree same with him.Once both Client and company are happy with the srategic plan he will then with his managers set up an ‘Operational Plan’once this has been completed and understood by all concerned parties he will then in theory move over and allow individual line managers to commence operating their respective activities with in the project. He will be in daily contact with all Line Managers and with the Clients Representative and will chair weekly meetings of all line Managers in order to sort out any problems there may be. The Project Manager retains absolute overall control of all aspects of the project from start to completion and is the direct line communication between the company and the client. His job is to hand over to the client a 100%satisfactory completed project within the specified time frame whilst having assured that that project has been completed in a financialy beneficial manner for his own employer. Every Project is different but the main essential of any project is full and absolute understanding of each and every project requirement.
Project Management
Project Management only comes into force once someone else has agreed and signed a contract. The Project Managers first task is to read through every term and letter of that contract so that he knows EXACTLY what is required. He will also establish at this stage what can be don and what can not be done.Here with regard to ‘impossible clauses’ and believe me quite a few contracts contain these, he will have to attempt to renegotiate fresh terms. He then assembles his team. Planning.Engineering.Financial.Purchasing. Logistics.Manpower. Safety. Quality Assurance and control etc and with their assistance set out a ‘Stratigic Plan of action.’He will communicate directly with the client with regard to this plan and agree same with him.Once both Client and company are happy with the srategic plan he will then with his managers set up an ‘Operational Plan’once this has been completed and understood by all concerned parties he will then in theory move over and allow individual line managers to commence operating their respective activities with in the project. He will be in daily contact with all Line Managers and with the Clients Representative and will chair weekly meetings of all line Managers in order to sort out any problems there may be. The Project Manager retains absolute overall control of all aspects of the project from start to completion and is the direct line communication between the company and the client. His job is to hand over to the client a 100%satisfactory completed project within the specified time frame whilst having assured that that project has been completed in a financialy beneficial manner for his own employer. Every Project is different but the main essential of any project is full and absolute understanding of each and every project requirement.
useful book on contracting
I found “Flawless Consulting” by Peter Block (Jossey Bass) enormously helpful on the process of contracting to ensure that all expectations and assumptions are out in the open.