WHAT THIS MEANS

7.1   Make sure that your clients understand all the terms of your agreement for an assignment, such as:

• Assignment objectives

• Steps, milestones, and deliverables in the proposed work plan

• Timeline of steps, milestones, deliverables, and completion date

• Names, relevant qualifications and role of each consultant assigned

• Fees and billing arrangements including how expenses, disbursements, and applicable taxes will be handled.

7.2   Postpone beginning an assignment until your client has indicated understanding and acceptance of the terms of your agreement.

7.3   Make sure that none of your billing arrangements surprise your client.

7.4   If the terms of your agreement change during the course of the assignment make sure that any corresponding impacts on fees, expenses, disbursements, taxes or billing arrangements are communicated to your client and agreed to.

7.5   On a fixed price contract, with no authorized change orders, do not reduce the consulting time for budget or time management purposes if, as a result, the quality of service will be below what was agreed to. Deliver what you promise for the promised fee, even if it costs more or takes longer.

7.6        If senior level consulting involvement was used to sell an engagement, deliver what the client expects to get, even if it costs more. (No “bait and switch.”)

Good professional practice would imply that most of the above would be committed to writing, but this is not an ethical issue so long as your client fully understands the arrangements.

© Copyright IMC USA 2002

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