Sign a written contract with consultant. This can often be as simple as signatures on proposal submitted by consultant, if all important matters were covered in that document.

Establish a project manager or producer to be main contact for consultant and to be responsible for all major decisions. Make sure this person has knowledge and authority to make decisions and allocate necessary resources. The consultant should also assign one person from their staff who will have final responsibility for decisions and will handle most communication with you.

Maintain regular communication during project, between project managers/producers on your staff and consultant's. Expect to be shown incremental progress and to be asked to give your approval at major project milestones. Make sure you formalize these important decisions in writing—these milestones and approval areas should usually be agreed upon at beginning of work. Do, however, trust your consultant and avoid micro-managing every detail and piece of work.

Before project begins, agree upon cost and deadline implications of any change requests made by you, or changes to scope of work, should these be necessary. Change requests and "scope creep" are common causes for disagreement and strained relations between clients and customers—recognize that "minor changes" add up quickly and can sometimes make project financially untenable for consultant. Conversely, if both parties have communicated well, and been realistic in their objectives, you will often find that a good consultant will make an extra effort on something, just to make sure you are happy with their services.

If something does go wrong with project and relations begin to be strained, agree to take a break from work for a couple of days or more. It will often be far easier, afterward, for both parties to understand other party's point of view, to reach compromise, to correct a misunderstanding in a way that is satisfactory to all, and to get back to work.

Finally, make sure you will know how to use (and update, where relevant) new materials, documents, and plans created by contractor. Include resources for training in budget. In Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you should be well on your way to good results on your next project! While these may at first seem like a lot of unnecessary rules, or barriers to a speedy completion of your project, they will actually prepare for smooth and timely completion. It is much better to be clear about things from start than to have to repeat work later; or worse, have a major disagreement which will strain relations and prove beneficial to neither party. There are many good consultants available who can bring specialist expertise and good management skills to your projects. A little extra help and relevant information might be a great investment in your future success. Best of luck with your work!

(Seattle, USA; August 2004)