| Before establishing a formal business relationship, wise | | | | could quickly go south. |
| IT project managers protect their business interests | | | | Consulting Contracts for IT Project Managers |
| with appropriate legal contracts. During the initial | | | | In general, consulting contracts spell out each party's |
| stages of project development, IT professionals | | | | responsibilities, as well as:o Compensationo Expenseso |
| often rely on informal records based on e-mails sent | | | | Termso Confidentialityo Project reportingo |
| back and forth with the client. While e-mail does | | | | Termination rules |
| provide a record of communication between you and | | | | For tech project managers, a consulting services |
| your customer, legally, it can't stand in for a signed | | | | agreement typically spells out the work you are to |
| project agreement that clearly outlines the scope and | | | | do and defines the terms of your working |
| expectations of a project. | | | | arrangement with the client. It lays out the limits of |
| As part of a good project risk management | | | | your responsibilities to the client, as well as the terms |
| strategy, it's especially important to have a consulting | | | | for your pricing and payment. |
| contract or project agreement in place before any | | | | A consulting agreement also protects your intellectual |
| money changes hands. | | | | property rights and establishes confidentiality |
| A Project Agreement Is the Foundation of Project | | | | standards that protect both you and your client. It |
| Risk Management | | | | limits any losses for the work you perform and |
| Having a signed IT project management agreement | | | | prevents your client from hiring away your key |
| before you begin an engagement can reduce or | | | | employees. This type of project agreement also |
| eliminate complications that could spring up during | | | | limits your liabilities should your client suffer any losses |
| your project. | | | | as a result of errors or omissions on your part. |
| Solid project agreements or contracts are a critical | | | | In addition to the main consulting agreement, |
| first step in project management, as well as a vital | | | | depending on the job, project managers may need |
| part of your project risk management plan to | | | | other, additional contracts. These agreements might |
| protect your business. Defining all project elements | | | | include employment, network installation and |
| early and in writing may help prevent legal trouble | | | | maintenance, staffing and placement, or |
| down the line, saving you thousands of dollars in legal | | | | subcontractor and independent contractor |
| costs and countless hours in a courtroom. | | | | agreements. |
| A sound project contract also helps to ensure that | | | | Subcontractor or independent contractor agreements |
| you receive the compensation that you and your | | | | are particularly important because they govern the |
| client have agreed upon. Too often, a project is well | | | | relationship between you and any subcontractors you |
| under way when a client suddenly decides not to | | | | may hire to work on a project. Such contracts clearly |
| pay, tries to lower the price of the job, or changes | | | | outline who owns licenses and intellectual property, |
| project terms. If any of these things happen and | | | | and prohibit your subcontractor from stealing your |
| your interactions with your client are not governed | | | | client's business or from being hired away from you |
| by a contract, you could lose a lot of time and | | | | by the client. |
| money, and your good relationship with your client | | | | |