When others deliver part of it.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ENGAGING
Exactly what they will deliver By when For how much What you must provide What happens if they are late
WHY WHAT YOU MUST PROVIDE
Supplier delays are frequently caused by the customer.
WHAT EXAMPLES LOOK LIKE
Content not supplied Access not granted Decisions not made Approvals delayed
WHAT TO AGREE
Your obligations, with dates, in the same document.
WHAT TO DEFINE
Acceptance criteria: how you will judge whether it is done.
WHY
Disputes about completion arise from its absence.
WHAT TO STRUCTURE PAYMENT AROUND
Milestones tied to deliverables.
WHY NOT TIME
It aligns payment with progress.
WHAT TO WITHHOLD
A final portion until acceptance.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH ABOUT COMMUNICATION
A single point of contact each side How often you will meet How changes are handled
WHY A SINGLE CONTACT
Instructions from several people produce chaos and disputes.
WHAT TO MONITOR
Progress against milestones, not reassurance.
WHAT TO ASK FOR
Evidence of progress, at each checkpoint.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A SUPPLIER SLIPS
Raise it early, in writing, and ask for a recovery plan.
WHAT TO AVOID
Accepting repeated verbal assurances.
WHAT TO RECORD
Every instruction, change and approval.
