Marcus UdokangProject Manager| Aivaz ConsultingCalgary, Alberta, Canada
If you have ever worked as a consultant, do you establish clear boundaries and manage expectations in the contract, to avoid or minimize potential misunderstandings?
Are your objectives, deliverables, payment milestones, and other expectations clearly articulated in the contract? Do you schedule to meet with the client on a regular weekly basis for review? Have you used contract software like Rimuut for freelancers? Or, have you ever started a consultant gig without a signed contract?
What are some essential components that you always make sure are in a contract with a client? Would be great to hear about your good or bad experiences with contracts. Saving Changes...
One of the most important sections of a contract or even a project charter is the exclusions section. If you don't take time to fill that out well, the client will likely assume more is "in" than you thought.
Kiron Saving Changes...
Anonymous
For technology consulting, T&M with incremental delivery and regular reviews makes most sense to me. I wouldn't consider any other kind of contract. Saving Changes...
Debapriya ChakravartyPROJECT MANAGER| TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICESSunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom
Some essential components which we should consider irrespective of small or big contract are Assumptions and Risks, Out of scope and financials. A periodic review with client is necessary along with project plan to avoid any ambiguity. Saving Changes...
Ankit JoshiNovartis Healthcare Pvt LtdHyderabad, Telangana, India
A complete project charter with relevant high level objectives, milestones, business case, assumptions and constraints should be executed before we begin work. Consulting often follows T&M type contracting, if its long term, you might consider incentives. Saving Changes...
Financial Management Specialist | US Peace CorpsYaounde, Centre, Cameroon
Hi Marcus,
I've never worked as a consultant but have worked with many consultants we contracted. What I've noticed is their explicitness is stating the exemption and or limitation clauses. It helps to set the bar of expectations for both parties Saving Changes...
I've worked both as a consultant and hire them. We're supposed to be purely tasked based. That is, the consultant is given specific tasks with an expected due date. However, this rarely happens. In the contract, there is what we call a "Statement of Work" that outlines in broad terms what it is the consultant will be expected to do within the context specified. It is typically a lot less formal, with the assigned technical authority (TA) issuing and approving the tasks assigned to the consultant. It could be verbally, in an email, but usually never formally through the procurement and contacting authorities we have assigned to the contract, as it would be too cumbersome to communicate in this fashion. On a monthly basis the consultant submits their timesheets with the work identified against those hours to the TA for review and approval. The TA signs the timesheet, and submits it to the procurement authority to arrange for payment.
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1 reply by Marcus Udokang
Aug 31, 2020 12:33 PM
Marcus Udokang
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Steve, this is a good summary of what I have sometimes experienced. Appreciate the feedback.
Marcus
Saving Changes...
Marcus UdokangProject Manager| Aivaz ConsultingCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Aug 31, 2020 9:40 AM
Replying to Steve Ratkaj
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I've worked both as a consultant and hire them. We're supposed to be purely tasked based. That is, the consultant is given specific tasks with an expected due date. However, this rarely happens. In the contract, there is what we call a "Statement of Work" that outlines in broad terms what it is the consultant will be expected to do within the context specified. It is typically a lot less formal, with the assigned technical authority (TA) issuing and approving the tasks assigned to the consultant. It could be verbally, in an email, but usually never formally through the procurement and contacting authorities we have assigned to the contract, as it would be too cumbersome to communicate in this fashion. On a monthly basis the consultant submits their timesheets with the work identified against those hours to the TA for review and approval. The TA signs the timesheet, and submits it to the procurement authority to arrange for payment.
Steve, this is a good summary of what I have sometimes experienced. Appreciate the feedback.
Marcus Saving Changes...
Marcus UdokangProject Manager| Aivaz ConsultingCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Much appreciate all the responses. Very thought provoking.
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