The Importance of Good Communication
Good communication is a key skill for a project manager. Good design of the product is assumed by the client. The key to keeping things running smoothly and making the …
Communication
Approval Time Limit
Make sure that the contract specifies the length of time allowed for approvals or decisions. When drawings or documents are sent to the client for approval, you need to know …
Reliability Builds Trust
Do what you say you will do, and do it when you said you will do it. Report to the client regularly and clearly. Keeping people informed significantly reduces project problems. Be reliable.
Check Your Authority
Avoid problems later by checking early in the project who is responsible for what aspect of the project and who has authority to approve what. Document this.
Confirm Details of Verbal Conversations
Problem: Verbal conversations don’t leave a paper trail for evidence of the topic of discussion or agreement. I have often found that a verbal conversation (by phone or in person) …
Specify the Due Date
When submitting any document for review (such as a design, invoice for payment, report, etc.), specify the date a response is due (perhaps 10 business days). For contractual related items …
Clarify Client Expectations
Clarify the expectations of your client. If you don’t you may find that they expect the project outcome to be a lot different than it really is. There is no …
Building Approvals
Make sure you specify in contracts and specifications that contractors are responsible for obtaining all relevant building and plumbing approvals for their work. Put that in writing but also verbally …
Evaluation of Tenders
When requesting and evaluating tenders make sure your specifications are very clear about what is required. Also check that the tenderers clearly describe what they offer. When accepting and signing …
Document Changes to the Scope Brief
Even if there is no change in cost or schedule you should still document any changes to the scope brief. Submit those as variations to the client. This way the …